The Effect of Hand Anthropometric Variables on Grip Strength in Grip Elite Athletes and Non-Athletes

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to determine the anthropometric variables that affect grip strength and to investigate how and to what extent these variables change grip strength in elite athletes and non-athletes. Totally, 74 subjects aged between 18 and 27 participated in this study in two groups including: elite athletes (n=32), and non-athletes (n=42). In our study, 26 hand anthropometric variables were measured on each subject’s dominant hand. The selection of the anthropometric parameters was limited only to those that are considered to have an association with handgrip strength. Independent t-test or Mann-Whitney U Test was applied for group comparison. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was utilized and Backward selection procedure was also performed to identify the relationship between handgrip strength and anthropometric measurements. Results revealed that some anthropometric measurements of hand significantly higher in elite athlete group than non-athlete group in males and females (p<0.05). In conclusion, we found that some hand anthropometric parameters are different in the grip sports and non-athletes, but we cannot exactly determine whether specific sport activities affect these differences or the inherent characteristics of athletes lead them to these sports. Also the handgrip strength of hand related athletes was more than that of non-athletes. This may be because of hand anthropometric parameters. Actually, good positive correlation between handgrip strengths and anthropometric characteristics of hand in grip athletes showed the effect of hand anthropometry on handgrip strength in athletes who use their hands for grasping a ball or opponent.

Keywords

• Anthropometry
• Handgrip strength
• Pinch strength

Abstract

Bu çalışmada; kavrama kuvvetini etkileyen antropometrik değişkenleri belirlemeyi ve bu değişkenlerin elit sporcularda ve sporcu olmayan bireylerde kavrama kuvvetini nasıl ve ne ölçüde değiştirdiğini araştırmayı amaçladık. Çalışmaya yaşları 18-27 arasında değişen elit sporcular (n = 32) ve sporcu olmayanlar (n = 42) olmak üzere toplamda 74 denek katıldı. Çalışmamızda, 26 adet el antropometrik parametresi, her bir deneğin baskın elinden alındı. Antropometrik parametrelerin seçimi, yalnızca kavrama kuvveti ile bir ilişkisi olduğu düşünülen parametreler ile sınırlı olarak yapıldı. Grup karşılaştırmaları için bağımsız t-testi veya Mann-Whitney U Testi uygulandı. Aşamalı çoklu doğrusal regresyon analizi kullanıldı ve aynı zamanda, kavrama kuvveti ile antropometrik ölçümler arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemek için Backward seçim prosedürü uygulandı. El ile ilgili bazı antropometrik ölçümlerin elit sporcu grubunda sporcu olmayan gruba göre erkek ve kadınlarda anlamlı olarak daha yüksek olduğu görüldü (p <0.05). Sonuç olarak, bazı el antropometrik parametrelerinin kavrama sporlarında ve sporcu olmayanlarda farklı olduğunu bulduk, ancak belirli spor faaliyetlerinin bu farklılıkları etkileyip etkilemediğini veya sporcuların içsel özelliklerinin onları bu sporlara yönlendirip yönlendirmediğini tam olarak belirleyemedik. Ayrıca el ile ilgili sporcuların kavrama gücü, sporcu olmayanlara göre daha fazlaydı. Bunun nedeni el antropometrik parametreleri olabileceği kanısındayız. Aslında, kavrama kuvveti ile sporcuların antropometrik değişkenleri arasındaki iyi pozitif korelasyon, ellerini bir topu veya rakibi kavramak için kullanan sporcularda el antropometrisinin el kavrama gücü üzerindeki etkisini göstermiştir.

Keywords

• Antropometri
• El kavrama kuvveti
• Parmak kavrama kuvveti

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