RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN GRIP STRENGTH TESTS IN MALE STRENGTH SPORT ATHLETES

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between a number of common grip strength tests in strength sport athletes. Thirty-four male athletes competing in weightlifting, powerlifting or strongman were assessed for their maximum performance in the handgrip dynamometer, pinch grip and revolving thick bar grip strength tests. Correlations between the three strength test were: handgrip and pinch grip (r = 0.40), handgrip and revolving thick bar (r = 0.66) and pinch grip and revolving thick bar (r = - 0.03). These varying relationships between the three strength tests suggest a relative specificity of strength test assessment, which may also be interpreted to suggest that strength and conditioning coaches need to select the appropriate grip exercises to improve sports specific grip performance in their athletes.;