The Relationship Between Upper Extremity Anthropometric Measurements and Bioimpedance Analysis With Grip Strength in Female Elite Handball Players

Handball players need to have upper extremity power and sufficient grip strength to be successful. In this context, it was aimed to determine the relationship between upper extremity anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis with grip strength in elite handball players. The study was conducted on 95 female elite handball players aged 18-24. Athletes with any trauma, musculoskeletal system problems, metabolic or systemic diseases that could affect the upper extremity were not included in the study. Stadiometer, electronic scale, digital caliper, inflexible tape measure, hand dynamometer, pinchmeter and skinfold caliper were used for anthropometric measurements, while Tanita MC-780 was used for bioelectrical impedance analysis. Upper extremity length, arm circumference, arm span, forearm length, forearm circumference, hand length, hand width, hand span, wrist medio-lateral diameter, wrist dorso-volar diameter, wrist circumference, tip pinch, key pinch, palmar pinch were found to be statistically significantly positively correlated with grip strength. A positive significant correlation was identified between grip strength and weight, body mass index, basal metabolic rate, waist/hip ratio from bioelectrical impedance analysis. The positive correlation between grip strength and athletes' anthropometric variables demonstrated the effect of hand anthropometry on grip strength in athletes who use their hands to grip a ball or an opponent. The results of this study can be useful for optimizing training programs as well as providing practical applications for talent selection of handball players.