Evaluation of hand anthropometric measurements and grip strength in basketball, volleyball and handball players

Abstract

Objectives : This cross-sectional study was performed to compare hand anthropometric measurements and grip strength among different sports groups. Methods : The study group was composed of 145 basketball players, 133 volleyball players and 96 handball players aged between 9-18 years. A digital compass (Shan, 150 mm) with a resolution of 0.01 mm/0.0005 inch was used for hand anthropometric measurements and a digital hand dynamometer (Takei) was used for grip strength measurement. During measurements values for both hands were obtained. Eight parameters were evaluated for each hand. For statistical analyses One Way ANOVA for parametric conditions and Kruskal-Wallis Variance Analyses for subgroups which have nonparametric conditions were performed. The differences within the groups were evaluated with post hoc Bonferroni adjustment. Results : There were statistically significant differences for right and left hand width, right finger index, right hand length/height, left hand length/height values between basketball, handball and volleyball players. The differences between basketball and handball players were the reason for the aforementioned differences. There were statistically significant differences in right and left width, right and left third finger length, right and left hand grip strength values in females. These significances were caused by handball players. Conclusion : These findings suggest that different sports could constitute different effects on hand anthropometric measurements and grip strength and sex should be considered.