Low Handgrip Strength Levels in Non-Athlete Adolescents Compared to Adolescent Athletes

Abstract

Handgrip strength is an important determinant of general health. The primary purpose of this study is to examine the handgrip strength levels in adolescents in terms of sports participation. The second purpose is to determine the association between handgrip strength and other strength parameters. Physically active adolescent athletes (n = 31, 14.26 ± 0.68 years), and the age, pubertal stage and gender-matched non-athlete adolescents (n = 31, 14.21 ± 0.66 years) at the age of 13 to 15 participated in the study. Maximum isometric muscle strength for hand, leg, and back were measured with a handheld dynamometer. Handgrip strength was correlated with leg strength and back strength (r=0.675; r=0.698, respectively). Non-athletes had lower strength values compared to the athletes (98.48 ± 38.25 kg vs 82.94 ± 33.70 kg; 91.48 ± 35.23 kg vs 70.35 ± 25.81 kg; 30.53 ± 7.05 kg; 25.97 ± 5.98 kg for leg, back and handgrip strength, respectively). There was a positive correlation between handgrip strength and other strength parameters in adolescents. Therefore, handgrip strength can be used as a general strength indicator in adolescents. Sports participation in adolescents seems to increase strength parameters notably and may affect health correlatively.