Digit Ratio, Testosterone/Cortisol Levels and Hand Grip Power of Handedness among Elite Iranian Basketball Players

Abstract

Handgrips and finger length are very important in Basketball. Some general predictors proposed for handgrip power but, both hand dimensions and hormonal assessment didn’t studied simultaneously among elite basketball athletes. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between various hand dimensions, anthropometrical characteristics and stosterone/cortisol <br><br>levels among elite Iranian basketball players. For this purpose, 14 <br><br>elite male players (mean ± SD, weight: 95.85 ± 12.16 kg, height: <br><br>197.85 ± 10.78 cm) were participated voluntarily in the present <br><br>study. Visnapuu method and enzyme-immunoassay kit were used for <br><br>evaluation of finger parameters and salivary hormones, respectively. <br><br>Statistical analysis of data showed significant correlation (p&lt;0.05) <br><br>between handgrip power of handedness and most hand dimensions <br><br>(p1, p2, p3, p4, p5, fs2, fs3, fs4) and also wrist girth, highest forearm <br><br>girth, two opened arm’s length and shoulder width. In addition, there <br><br>was significant negative correlation between cortisol and handgrip <br><br>power (p&lt;0.01, r=-0.74). Thus, anthropometrical characteristics like <br><br>wrist girth, two opened arm’s length and shoulder width which found <br><br>to have strong correlation with handgrip power could be used as <br><br>simple predictors for handgrip power in such a sport with handgrip <br><br>importance.