Predicting Grip Strength based on Anthropometric Characteristics in Female Junior Volleyball Players

Volleyball is an intermittent sport and as the use of the hand is essential in it, hand morphology and functional properties play an important role in its performance. Also, volleyball requires a sustained level of hand prehensile force to maximize control and performance. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of anthropometric characteristics of the upper limb on hand gripe of elite female volleyball players. 50 volleyball players (age 12-17 years) volunteered to participate in the present study. A series of anthropometric tests were carried out on each participant including forearm length, arm length, wrist Breadth and arm Breadth, forearm circumference and hand span. For grip strength measurement, digital hand dynamometer was used. The results of the stepwise multiple regression analysis about predictors showed that the most important basic anthropometric variable was body height (R2×100=31.2%) and BMI, age and hand span were predictors of maximal hand strength. Discussion and In the present study, results indicated body height and BMI were the most important anthropometric variables in junior females. In the other words, taller volleyball players would have better hand grip strength.