Relationship Between Handgrip Strength on Muscular Strength Among Racquet Sport Athletes

Abstract

Handgrip strength has been popularly used to predict overall body strength in the general and athletic populations. The purposes of this study were to compare handgrip strength between both hands (dominant and non-dominant hand) as well as selected arm position (flexion and extension). This study also explores the relationship between handgrip strength on muscular strength among racquet sport athletes. Ninety male racquet athletes aged 18-26 years old from Public Institutes of Higher Learning (IPTA) in Klang Valley area participated in this study (tennis = 30, badminton = 30, and squash = 30). Result of this study revealed that there was a significant difference between dominant and non-dominant hand in handgrip strength among all three racquet sport athletes (p \ 0.05). The tennis athletes recorded the highest handgrip strength score for both the dominant and non-dominant hand. A significant difference was also reported between extension and flexion arm positions among racquet sport athletes (p \ 0.05) except for badminton athletes (p [ 0.05). The tennis and squash athletes showed more superior handgrip strength score in the extension arm position. However, the badminton athletes showed superior handgrip strength score in the flexion arm position. Moderate linear correlation was recorded between handgrip strength with upper body strength among all three racquet sport athletes, with (r = 0.374-0.529). Result of the study also showed the significant correlation was recorded between handgrip strength with lower body strength among three racquet sport athletes. The badminton athletes showed highest correlation among the three racquet sport athletes (r = 0.543; r = 0.604). Based upon the findings of this study, handgrip strength can be used as a predictor for upper body strength and lower body strength among racquet sport athletes.