Comparison of Handgrip Strength and Endurance in Collegiate Male Athletes

According to Wang et al. (2018), handgrip strength is an indicator of overall strength and a predictor of strength outcomes. Handgrip strength reflects muscular strength as well as motor unit recruitment and coordination, and neuromuscular control. Elite and successful athletes tend to show greater handgrip strength in comparison to sub-elite and less successful counterparts (Fry et al., 2004; Cronin et al., 2017). This may be due to the sport-specific nature of neuromuscular adaptations (Shields et al., 1999). For men between the ages of 18 and 24, absolute dominant (D) handgrip strength averages 47.0 kg +/- 8.1 kg (Wang et al., 2018). The purpose of this study was to compare relative handgrip strength and endurance between college-aged males that participate in four different sports: CrossFit, Tennis, Swimming, and Soccer. It was hypothesized that both relative handgrip strength and endurance would be higher in grip-intensive sports (CrossFit and tennis) than in nongrip- intensive sports (swimming and soccer) due to training specificity. Further, it was hypothesized that tennis players would show the greatest difference between dominant (D) and non-dominant (ND) handshttps://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/exercise-science-research-proposal-posters/1106/thumbnail.jp