Grip strength is often used clinically as an indicator of hand function and as a quick and effective outcome measure for rehabilitation. There is little published data for normative handgrip strength for specific populations. Published bilateral grip strength values provide no insight into expected ranges or relationships for professional sportsmen and women. This study explored the range and relationship of dominant and non-dominant handgrip strength in professional golfers.
A small, cross sectional study recruiting 36 professional golfers was carried out. Bilateral grip strength was measured using a JAMAR ® dynamometer and standardised measurement protocols. Results indicated that in professional golfers, non-dominant hands were significantly stronger (p=0.009, 95%CI 3.95 to 0.61) than the dominant hand by a mean of 2.28kg.
Clinicians need to consider that, for this potential patient group, optimum hand rehabilitation may need to aim for the non-dominant hand to regain a stronger grip force than the dominant hand.
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