Comparison of Pinch Strength and Its Relationship with Performance and Demographic Variables in Elite Female Weightlifters
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65668/4rxn6e49Keywords:
Tip pinch; Key pinch; Palmar pinch; Female weightlifters; Olympic weightlifting IntroductionAbstract
Background: In sports where upper extremity control is important, especially in Olympic-style weightlifting, grip strength and, in particular, pinch strength are considered important performance components.Objective: To examine the relationships of grip, key, and palmar pinch strength with weightlifting performance, anthropometric characteristics, and training experience in elite female weightlifters, and to compare athletes from the Turkish National Team (NTW) and the Turkish Olympic Training Center (TOHM). Methods: Thirty-two female Olympic-style weightlifters participated in the study (NTW: n = 16; TOHM: n = 16). Anthropometric data and training history were recorded, and maximum snatch and clean-and-jerk values were obtained from federation sources. Grip, key, and palmar pinch strengths were measured on both hands using a calibrated hydraulic dynamometer. Mann–Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests were used for group comparisons, and Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess relationships between variables. Results: NTW athletes were found to be significantly superior to the TOHM group in years of training, snatch and clean-and-jerk performance, and KP Right, TP Right/Left, and PL Right/Left pinch strength (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of height, body weight, and body mass index. Additionally, no statistically significant differences were found between right- and left-hand pinch strengths in either group. In the NTW group, pinch strength was moderately to strongly correlated with age, training experience, and certain body composition measures, while correlations with technical performance variables were generally weak. Conclusions: This study found that pinch strength was moderately to strongly associated with experience-based variables, such as age and training duration, in elite female weightlifters. However, its associations with technical performance measures (snatch and clean & jerk) were generally weak. These findings suggest that while grip strength contributes to overall physical capacity, success in weightlifting also depends on multiple factors, including technical proficiency and motor control.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Rıdvan Kır, Mahmut Esat Uzun, Juan Francisco GARCÍA-VÁZQUEZ, Serap Ünlü (Author)
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