Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: August | Volume: 9 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 175-180
Comparison of Handgrip Strength between Right-Handed and Left-Handed Badminton Players
Kriti Singh1, Nanda Kumar.S2
1Assistant Professor, D.Y.Patil School of Physiotherapy, Navi Mumbai India.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Ramaiah Medical College and Hospitals, Bangalore, India.
Corresponding Author: Nanda Kumar. S
ABSTRACT
Background: Badminton is a popular sport worldwide that requires fast and powerful shots and agile footwork. It is one of the fastest racket sports in the world; the speed of badminton smashes can be as high as 30 m/s. Badminton wrist action is extremely important in producing powerful Shot. Badminton is all about the wrist and the true power from any badminton shot comes from a combination of your wrist action and the racket swing. The research data has shown that left-handed athletes do better in sports like cricket, baseball, squash, badminton, and tennis. However, there is no detailed information on comparing the handgrip strength difference between right-handed and left-handed badminton players. Aim of the study: To compare the handgrip strength between right-handed versus left-handed badminton players.
Method: Through convenience sampling 30 badminton players of 15 players of right-handed and 15 players of left-handed were recruited after screening for inclusion and exclusion criteria. All subjects were assessed for their handgrip strength using a hand-held dynamometer. A thirty minute of rest was given before assessing forehand smash speed. The players were asked to perform forearm smash and the smash speed was recorded using the Ling Bu app. The best of three attempts forehand smash speed was recorded. Three trails were given for each of the participants and an average score was recorded.
Data Analysis: Descriptive statistics of handgrip strength and forehand smash speed performance were analyzed in the term of mean and standard deviation. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between age, handgrip strength and ankle muscles and forehand smash speed scores were correlated.
Results: A significant difference between the left-handed and right-handed handgrip strength was noticed with a mean of 69 ± 9.44 and 58 ± 12.02 kgs respectively. The left-handed forearm smash speed was recorded faster than the right-handed forehand smashes with a mean of 196 ± 29.15 and 166±25.53 km/hr respectively. Further, Pearson’s coefficient correlation was found between the age, handgrip strength and forearm smash speed.
Conclusion: The result of this study indicates the significant difference between the handgrip strength among left-handed and right-handed badminton players and this could be the reason for higher forearm smash speed and better performance of left-handed players in badminton.
Key words: Badminton players, Handgrip strength, left-handed players, badminton smash speed