Comparison of the Force Applied in Different Grip Positions in Arm Wrestling

Öz

This study aimed to compare the isometric force produced in pronation, rotation and hammer grip positions in arm wrestling. The effects of pronation, rotation and hammer grip techniques on the force generating capacity of athletes were compared. The universe of the study, which was conducted with descriptive and quantitative methods, consisted of active arm wrestling athletes in Turkey. The sample group consisted of 22 male athletes aged between 16 and 18 who actively participated in arm wrestling in Bursa. The data were collected using the ‘Arm Force Gauge in Arm Wrestling’ developed within the scope of Sakarya University of Applied Sciences as a BAP Project. The arm wrestling force measuring device consisted of a mechanical frame, force measuring instrument and computer software that measured the isometric force applied by the athletes in different grip positions. The findings indicated that in the right arm, the pronation grip produced higher relative mean force and longer maximum force duration compared to both rotation and hammer grips (p<0.05). In the left arm, the maximum force duration during pronation was also longer than in the other grip positions (p<0.05). Regarding maximum relative force, the right arm showed higher values in pronation compared to both rotation and hammer grips, while the rotation grip produced lower maximum relative force than the hammer grip (p<0.05). In the left arm, both pronation and hammer grips generated higher maximum relative force compared to the rotation grip (p<0.05). For both arms, the first peak (f_peak) of maximum relative force was higher in pronation and hammer grips than in rotation (p<0.05).

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Arm wrestling
• Grip position
• Strength parameters
• Athlete performance

Bilek Güreşinde Farklı Tutuş Pozisyonlarında Uygulanan Kuvvetin Karşılaştırılması

Öz

Bu çalışma, bilek güreşinde pronasyon, rotasyon ve hammer tutuş pozisyonlarında üretilen izometrik kuvveti karşılaştırmayı amaçlamıştır. Sporcuların kuvvet üretme kapasiteleri üzerinde pronasyon, rotasyon ve hammer tutuş tekniklerinin etkileri incelenmiştir. Betimsel ve nicel yöntemlerle yürütülen araştırmanın evrenini Türkiye’deki aktif bilek güreşi sporcuları oluşturmuştur. Örneklem grubunu ise Bursa’da aktif olarak bilek güreşi yapan, yaşları 16 ile 18 arasında değişen 22 erkek sporcu oluşturmuştur. Veriler, Sakarya Uygulamalı Bilimler Üniversitesi kapsamında bir BAP Projesi olarak geliştirilen “Bilek Güreşinde Kuvvet Ölçüm Cihazı” kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Ölçüm cihazı, sporcuların farklı tutuş pozisyonlarında uyguladıkları izometrik kuvveti ölçen mekanik bir çerçeve, yük hücresi ve bilgisayar yazılımından oluşmuştur. Verilerin normal dağılım gösterdiği belirlenmiş ve istatistiksel analizlerde tek yönlü varyans analizi (ANOVA) kullanılmıştır. Anlamlı farklılıkların kaynağını belirlemek için post hoc (Tukey) testi uygulanmıştır. Bulgulara göre sağ kolda pronasyon tutuş, hem göreli ortalama kuvvet hem de maksimum kuvvet süresi açısından rotasyon ve hammer tutuşlarına göre daha yüksek değerler üretmiştir (p<0.05). Sol kolda da pronasyon tutuşunun maksimum kuvvet süresi diğer tutuş pozisyonlarına göre daha uzun bulunmuştur (p<0.05). Maksimum göreli kuvvet açısından sağ kolda pronasyon tutuş, rotasyon ve hammer tutuşlarına göre daha yüksek değerler üretmiş; ayrıca rotasyon tutuşundaki maksimum göreli kuvvet, hammer tutuşuna göre daha düşük bulunmuştur (p<0.05). Sol kolda ise pronasyon ve hammer tutuşları, rotasyon tutuşuna kıyasla daha yüksek maksimum göreli kuvvet üretmiştir (p<0.05). Hem sağ hem sol kolda, pronasyon ve hammer tutuşlarında maksimum ilk tepe göreli kuvvet rotasyon tutuşuna göre daha yüksek bulunmuştur (p<0.05).

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Bilek güreşi
• Tutuş pozisyonları
• Kuvvet parametreleri
• Sporcu performansı

Kaynakça

1. Ahn, J., Jung, H., Moon, J., Kwon, C. and Ahn, J. (2025). A comprehensive assessment of a passive back support exoskeleton for load handling assistance. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 3926. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88471-w
2. Andersen, L. L. ve Aagaard, P. (2006). Influence of maximal muscle force and intrinsic muscle contractile properties on explosive force development. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 96(1), 46-52. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-005-0070-z
3. Bader, J., Boland, M. R., Greybe, D., Nitz, A., Uhl, T. and Pienkowski, D. (2018). Muscle activity during maximal isometric forearm rotation using a power grip. Journal of Biomechanics, 68, 24-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.12.011
4. Bhargava, A. S., Eapen, C. and Kumar, S. P. (2010). Grip strength measurements at two different wrist extension positions in chronic lateral epicondylitis-comparison of involved vs. uninvolved side in athletes and non athletes: A case-control study. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2(1), 22. https://doi.org/10.1186/1758-2555-2-22
5. Busuttil, N., Middleton, K. J., Dunn, M. and Roberts, A. H. (2024). To change or not to change: Perceptions and experiential knowledge of tennis coaches when modifying Grip technique. Sports (Basel), 12(12), 325. doi:10.3390/sports12120325
6. Büyüköztürk, Ş., Çakmak, E. K., Akgün, Ö. E., Karadeniz, Ş., and Demirel, F. (2016). Bilimsel Araştırma Yöntemleri (22. b). Pegem Akademi. DOI:10.14527/9789944919289
7. Caetano, A., Luo, Y. and Sra, M. (2025). Modeling user preference in single-finger grasping interactions. arXiv preprint arXiv:2501.05434. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2501.05434
8. Can, I. (2017). Comparison of power, velocity and force parameters during loaded squat jump exercise in the handball and arm wrestling players. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 5(12), 92-98. https://doi.org/10.11114/jets.v5i12.2057

9. Cahyadi, B. N., Zunaidi, I., Bakar, S. A., Khairunizam, W., Majid, S. H., Razlan, Z. M. and Mustafa, W. A. (2018). Upper limb muscle force analysis for movement sequence based on maximum voluntary contraction using emg signal. In 2018 International Conference on Computational Approach in Smart Systems Design and Applications (ICASSDA) (pp. 1-5). IEEE. doi:10.1109/ICASSDA.2018.8477638
10. Castaldi, G. M., Borzuola, R., Camomilla, V., Bergamini, E., Vannozzi, G., and Macaluso, A. (2022). Biomechanics of the hammer throw: Narrative review. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4, 853536. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.853536
11. Cieśliński, I., Gierczuk, D. and Sadowski, J. (2021). Identification of success factors in elite wrestlers-An exploratory study. PLoS One, 16(3), e0247565. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0247565
12. Coletta, F., Cesanelli, L., Kamandulis, S. and Conte, D. (2025). Comparative Analysis of Elbow Flexor Morphology, Physiology, and Performance Between Arm Wrestlers and Strength-Trained Athletes. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 39(5), 579-586. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005071
13. Creswell, J. W. and Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications. 26.
14. Donno, L., Francia, C., Motta, F., LoMauro, A., Gorla, C., Scaccabarozzi, D. and Galli, M. (2025). Biomechanical insights into ski mountaineering: Kinematics and muscular activation in uphill movements. Applied Sciences, 15(3), 1003. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031003
15. Duncan, S. F., Saracevic, C. E. and Kakinoki, R. (2013). Biomechanics of the hand. Hand Clinics, 29(4), 483-492. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hcl.2013.08.003
16. Erdağı, K. (2020). The study of the correlations between handgrip force and some anthropometric characteristics of upper extremity of elite and sub-elite Olympic-style weightlifting athletes. Physical Education of Students, 24(1), 19-30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.hcl.2013.08.003
17. Finneran, A. and O'Sullivan, L. (2013). Effects of grip type and wrist posture on forearm EMG activity, endurance time, and movement accuracy. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 43(1), 91-99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2012.11.012
18. Forman, D. A., Forman, G. N., Robathan, J. and Holmes, M. W. (2019). The influence of simultaneous handgrip and wrist force on forearm muscle activity. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 45, 53-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2019.02.004
19. Granacher, U., Lesinski, M., Büsch, D., Muehlbauer, T., Prieske, O., Puta, C. and Behm, D. G. (2016). Effects of resistance training in youth athletes on muscular fitness and athletic performance: A conceptual model for long-term athlete development. Frontiers in Physiology, 7, 164. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2016.00164
20. Hirai, H., Miyahara, S. and Otuka, A. (2021). Physical factors affecting the strength of arm wrestling. International Journal of Medical Science and Clinical Invention, 8(11), 5816-5821. DOI:10.18535/ijmsci/v8i11.010
21. Hu, X., Guo, F., Wei, Z., Chen, D., Dai, J., Li, A. and Yang, H. (2025). HANDSON Hand: Strategies and approaches for competitive success at CYBATHLON 2024. Bioengineering (Basel), 12(3), 228. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12030228
22. Ikeda, K., Kaneoka, K., Matsunaga, N., Ikumi, A., Yamazaki, M. and Yoshii, Y. (2025). Effects of forearm rotation on wrist flexor and extensor muscle activities. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 20(1), 53. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-024-05363-x
23. Lloyd, R. S., Cronin, J. B., Faigenbaum, A. D., Haff, G. G., Howard, R., Kraemer, W. J. and Oliver, J. L. (2016). National force and conditioning association position statement on long-term athletic development. The Journal of Force and Conditioning Research, 30(6), 1491-1509. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000001387
24. Metsavaht, L., Godoy-Santos, A. L. and Mombello, F. (2024). Biomechanical problems related to lesser toes dysfunction and amputation. Foot and Ankle Clinics, 29(4), 753-765.
25. Maffiuletti, N. A., Aagaard, P., Blazevich, A. J., Folland, J., Tillin, N. and Duchateau, J. (2016). Rate of force development: physiological and methodological considerations. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 116(6), 1091-1116. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-016-3346-6
26. Mileva, K. N., Morgan, J. and Bowtell, J. (2009). Differentiation of power and endurance athletes based on their muscle fatigability assessed by new spectral electromyographic indices. Journal of Sports Sciences, 27(6), 611-623. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410802707011
27. Mohammadi, M. M. and Nourani, A. (2025). Testing the effects of footwear on biomechanics of the human body: A review. Heliyon, (11)4, e42870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42870
28. Moreira, L., Figueiredo, J. and Santos, C. P. (2025). MuscLab: A flexible and elastic e-textile band for monitoring muscle contraction. IEEE Sensors Journal. (25)6, 9478- 9485. DOI: 10.1109/JSEN.2025.3535589
29. Nicolay, C. W. and Walker, A. L. (2005). Grip force and endurance: Influences of anthropometric variation, hand dominance, and gender. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 35(7), 605-618. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2005.01.007
30. Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). SAGE Publications. 45. ISBN 978 -1-4129-7212-3
31. Perciballi, C. (2025). Hands as tools: How manual behavior shapes actions and spontaneous and task-evoked brain activity. Tesi di dottorato, Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza, 116.
32. Podrigalo, L. V., Iermakov, S., Nosko, M., Galashko, M. N., and Galashko, N. I. (2015). Study and analysis of arm wrestlers’ forearm muscles’ force. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 15(3), 531-537. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2015.03080
33. Podrihalo, O. O., Podrigalo, L. V., Bezkorovainyi, D. O., Halashko, O. I., Nikulin, I. N., Kadutskaya, L. A., and Jagiello, M. (2020). The analysis of handgrip strength and somatotype features in arm wrestling athletes with different skill levels. Physical Education of Students, 24(2), 120-126. Doi:10.15561/20755279.2020.0208
34. Ratamess, N. A., Hoffman, J. R., Kraemer, W. J., Ross, R. E., Tranchina, C. P., Rashti, S. L. and Faigenbaum, A. D. (2013). Effects of a competitive wrestling season on body composition, endocrine markers, and anaerobic exercise performance in NCAA collegiate wrestlers. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 113(5), 1157-1168. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2520-8
35. Rebryna, A., Kytrar, V., Коshel, А., Petrovych, O., Bondar, T., Bosniuk, P. and Khlibovych, I. (2022). Dynamics of cadets' physical fitness in the process of arm wrestling. International Journal of Human Movement and Sports Sciences, 10(3), 361-370. https://doi.org/10.13189/saj.2022.100301
36. Sachlikidis, A. and Salter, C. (2007). A biomechanical comparison of dominant and non-dominant arm throws for speed and accuracy. Sports Biomechanics, 6(3), 334-344. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763140701491294
37. Shemy, E., Okada, T., Arnon, M. and Peleg, S. (2025). Isokinetic profile of the wrist flexors and extensors in young women and men. Isokinetics and Exercise Science. 33(2), 116-122.
38. Smith, D. J. (2003). A framework for understanding the training process leading to elite performance. Sports Medicine, 33(15), 1103-1126. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200333150-00003
39. Suzuki, K., Mizoguchi, Y., Hasegawa, S., Saito, K., Hattori, H., Fujisaki, K. and Kimura, F. (2025). Influence of flexor pronator muscle contraction on medial elbow joint space distance in high school baseball players: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery. 34(8). e686-e693 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jse.2024.12.025
40. Talukder, A. and Jo, J. (2025). Elastic textile-based wearable modulation of musculoskeletal load: A comprehensive review of passive exosuits and resistance clothing. Wearable Technologies, 6, e11. doi.10.1017/wtc.2025.2
41. Tse, K. C., Capsi-Morales, P. and Piazza, C. (2025). Learning dynamics of muscle synergies during non-biomimetic control maps. Wearable Technologies, 6, e1. doi.10.1017/wtc.2024.24
42. Tunca, S. A. and Aydos, L. (2019). Bedensel engelli bilek güreşi sporcularında el kavrama kuvveti ile bazı antropometrik özellikler arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesi. Gazi Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 24(1), 17-30.
43. Weitz, R. (2008). Arm Wrestling. The National Interest, (94), 70-75.
44. Williams, E. M., Gordon, A. D. and Richmond, B. G. (2014). Biomechanical strategies for accuracy and force generation during stone tool production. Journal of Human Evolution, 72, 52-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhevol.2014.03.004
45. Yıldız, H. (2023). Bilek güreşi sporcularına yapılan kuvvet antrenmanının elektromiyografi değerleri ve kas performansına etkisi. Yüksek lisans tezi, İnönü Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü. YÖK Tez Merkezi.
46. Yonca, S. S., Engin, Ç. B., Serdar, Y. A., Mustafa, K. and Yüksel, S. (2017). The effects of unit exercises on the hand grip strength of arm wrestlers. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 5(6), 196-201. https://doi.org/10.11114/jets.v5i6.2425