ORIGINAL ARTICLE  EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS 

The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2017 May;57(5):521-8

DOI: 10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06272-1

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Hand grip strength and anthropometric characteristics in Italian female national basketball teams

Luisa PIZZIGALLI ¹, Margherita MICHELETTI CREMASCO ², Antonio LA TORRE ³, Alberto RAINOLDI ¹, Roberto BENIS ³ ✉

¹ Motor Science Research Center, School of Exercise and Sport Sciences (SUISM), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; ² Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; ³ Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of hand and body dimensions on hand grip strength and to define a reference scale for talent identification in basketball players.
METHODS: Body and hand anthropometric data and the maximal handgrip strength of 109 female Italian basketball National players (Under14-Seniores) were measured.
RESULTS: Handgrip strength and arm length trend increased, raising the statistical significant differences only for players from the age of 19 (U20, Seniores) with respect to sub-elite groups (U14, U15) (P<0.05). Handgrip strength showed low positive correlations with height and Body Mass Index but a positive relationships with arm length (r=0.5; P<0.001). Findings underline training and years of practice have effects on increasing handgrip strength.
CONCLUSIONS: Data show that to select female basketball players by arm length means selecting by handgrip strength. Thus it is possible to suggest that in addition to height, arm length could also be considered a useful parameter in young female talent identification.

KEY WORDS: Anthropometry - Hand strength - Basketball - Athletes