Abstract - Handgrip strength laterality of young Kendo athletes in the developmental period
Background and Aim. Handgrip strength asymmetry and weakness are associated with future morbidity and functional disabilities. However, the impact of environmental factors on handgrip strength asymmetry is poorly understood. In Kendo, the left hand is believed to have a stronger grip on the bamboo sword than the right. Thus, we examined the association between handgrip strength laterality and the Kendo experience in young Kendo athletes.
Material and Methods. A total of 159 right-handed young Kendo athletes (106 males and 53 females) between 6.0 and 15.2 years old participated in this study. Handgrip strength was measured using a dynamometer, and the value of the right and left hands was used for data analysis. Sports experience was determined when they started practicing Kendo in a dojo. Handgrip strength was compared between the hands and sex. Within-subject moderation was used to test whether any possible difference depended upon experience level and age.
Results. Right-handed Kendo athletes had significantly greater (t= 2.87, p= 0.005) handgrip strength in the right hand than the left hand [mean difference of 0.52 (95% CI: 0.16, 0.88) kg]. There was no hand*experience (t= -0.93, p= 0.35) or hand*age (t= -0.41, p= 0.68) interaction with handgrip strength.
Conclusions. The difference in handgrip strength did not depend upon experience level in right-handed young Kendo athletes. These results suggest that even though the use of the left hand is higher than the right hand in Kendo practice, it may not specifically lead to greater handgrip strength of the left hand.