Comparative Analysis of Handgrip Strength and Handgrip Strength-to-BMI Ratio Among Male Thai Ultimate Frisbee Athletes, Male University Athletes, and Male University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ultimate Frisbee has seen remarkable global growth, attracting millions of participants across community programs, educational institutions, and competitive venues. Hand Grip Strength (HGS) is vital for executing effective disc throws, making it a key performance factor. This study aimed to (1) compare HGS among male Thai Ultimate Frisbee athletes (UA), male university sports athletes (USA), and male sedentary university students (SUS), and (2) explore correlations between HGS, muscle strength, experience, weekly training duration, and peak scoring performance. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 277 males aged 16 to 20 years: UA (n = 96), USA (n = 99), and SUS (n = 82). HGS was assessed bilaterally in a straight-arm position, recording the highest value from two trials. The HGS-to-BMI ratio was calculated for each participant. Data collected included age, weight, height, BMI, athletic experience, weekly training duration, and peak scoring performance. ANOVA was used to analyze differences in HGS and the HGS-to-BMI ratio among groups. Pearson's correlation was used to assess relationships among variables, while an independent t-test compared UA and USA groups. Significant differences in HGS and HGS-to-BMI ratios were found among the groups (p < 0.001). UA demonstrated superior relative handgrip strength compared to both USA and SUS. SUS had the lowest values for both left and right HGS and the HGS-to-BMI ratio. A notable correlation was identified between left-hand grip strength and peak scoring performance in UA (r = 0.211, p = 0.001). Additionally, weekly training frequency positively correlated with peak scoring performance in both athlete groups (p < 0.05). This study underscores the importance of training duration, experience, peak performance scores, and metrics like HGS and the HGS-to-BMI ratio in enhancing athletic performance, offering insights for coaches to develop tailored training programs.