The Effect of Sport Participation and Age on Peak Handgrip Strength

Authors

  • Konstantina Karatrantou University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science
  • Vassilis Gerodimos University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science
  • Magdalini Angelakou University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science
  • Dimitra Psychou University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science
  • Dimitra Papadimitriou University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science
  • Nikos Tsiakaras University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science

Keywords:

isometric strength, hand preference, wrestlers, basketball players, untrained individuals, anthropometric characteristics

Abstract

Handgrip strength (HG) is an important element to succeed in several sports such as wrestling, team sports, tennis, climbing etc. Therefore, this study examined the effect of sport participation and age on peak handgrip strength. Two hundred and seventy participants: 90 Greco-Roman wrestlers, 90 basketball players and 90 untrained males were participated in the study. Participants were assigned according to their chronological age into thee agegroups: children (10.6 ± 0.7 years), adolescents (14.1 ± 0.7 years) and adults (24.2 ± 4.6 years). A portable hydraulic dynamometer (Jamar) was used for the HG measurement. The absolute HG (kg) of the preferred hand was evaluated, and the relative HG per unit of body mass (kg/kg) was calculated. A two-way analysis of variance (sport x age, 3 x 3) and Tukey’s posthoc analysis were used to analyze the data. The results revealed statistically significant «sport» x «age» interaction for maximal handgrip strength (absolute and relative terms). Handgrip strength (absolute and relative terms) was similar in children and adolescents wrestlers, basketball players and controls, whereas, differences were observed among wrestlers, basketball players and controls in adults. Adult wrestlers (p<.001) and basketball players (p <0.05) exhibited significantly greater peak HG than their control peers. Also adults wrestlers demonstrated significantly greater peak HG (p <0.05) than their basketball players adults (p<.001). Additionally, the results showed a significant age-related increase in peak HG (absolute and relative terms) irrespective of sport, with the exception of untrained adolescents vs. adults where no differences in relative HG were observed.

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Published

2012-11-15

How to Cite

Karatrantou Κ., Gerodimos Β., Angelakou Μ., Psychou Δ., Papadimitriou Δ., & Tsiakaras Ν. (2012). The Effect of Sport Participation and Age on Peak Handgrip Strength. Inquiries in Physical Education and Sport, 10(3), 17–27. Retrieved from https://journals.lib.uth.gr/index.php/inquiries/article/view/1384

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