Grip strength
Grip strength refers to the force exerted by a person when holding or squeezing an object with their hand. It encompasses three primary types: crush grip, pinch grip, and support grip, each measured differently. Crush grip involves closing the fingers around an object, while pinch grip is the action of gripping an object between the fingers and thumb. Support grip focuses on holding an object over time, bearing its weight primarily with the fingers. Measurement of grip strength is often conducted using various devices, including hand dynamometers and pinch gauges.
Grip strength is significant in numerous sports, such as gymnastics, rock climbing, baseball, and martial arts, where the ability to grip plays a crucial role in performance. It also serves as a diagnostic tool in medical settings, helping to assess conditions like arthritis or recovery after surgeries. Additionally, lower grip strength in middle age may indicate potential health risks later in life. Beyond its practical applications, grip strength is celebrated in competitive environments, with events and competitions showcasing feats of strength, such as card tearing and deadlifting, reflecting the growing interest in grip-strength training as a sport.
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Grip strength
Grip strength is the force with which a person can hold or squeeze an object with his or her hand. There are several different types of grip, each of which is measured in a different way. Grip strength plays an important role in some sports, and it can also be used as a diagnostic tool in rehabilitation programs or for certain medical conditions. In addition, some people pursue grip-strength training as a sport in its own right, and numerous competitions exist in which enthusiasts can demonstrate their abilities in various events.
Overview
The three main types of grip are crush grip, pinch grip, and support grip. Crush grip is gripping by closing the fingers around an object and driving them toward the palm; it is related to the clamp grip, in which the fingers are driven toward the base of the palm, and the crimp grip, in which the fingers remain near the top of the palm. Pinch grip is the action of gripping an object between the fingers and the thumb. Support grip refers to the ability to hold an object for a long period of time while the fingers bear the brunt of the weight, as when holding a bucket by the handle.
The most commonly measured type of grip is crush grip, typically by a device called a “hand dynamometer.” This tool generally has an adjustable handle that can be moved to the desired distance from the base; the person being measured then squeezes the handle using the proper grip, and the dynamometer measures the force applied. Other devices for measuring crush grip include a sphygmomanometer, which is usually used for measuring blood pressure, and a vigorimeter, which features three different-sized rubber balls for the person being measured to squeeze.
Pinch grip is generally measured using a pinch gauge. This is also a type of dynamometer, though of a different design from the hand dynamometer. In addition, several instruments primarily used to measure crush grip can also be used to measure pinch grip, including a vigorimeter. Support grip, meanwhile, is best measured in terms of the amount of weight one can hold and for what length of time.
Grip strength is an important component of many different sports and physical activities, specifically those that involve supporting oneself with one’s grip, such as gymnastics and rock climbing; those that involve gripping a ball or some other implement, such as baseball, tennis, and weight lifting; and those that involve gripping other people, such as wrestling and martial arts.
Measurement of grip strength is a valuable diagnostic tool as well. Weakened grip strength can be a symptom of numerous injuries or illnesses, including arthritis, brachial neuritis, muscular dystrophy, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Following medical events or procedures such as a stroke or a surgical operation on the hands, grip strength can indicate the level of the patient’s recovery, and occupational therapists may recommend various hand exercises the patient can do to improve his or her strength. In addition, lower grip strength in middle age may suggest a greater risk of stroke or disability later in life.
In addition to its medical relevance and its importance in various sports, increased grip strength is increasingly pursued as an end in itself. Card tearing has long been a popular method of demonstrating grip strength, dating back as far as the 1910 World Championships of Card Tearing (Le Championnat du Monde de Déchirage de Cartes) in France. While demonstrations of grip strength were once found mainly in carnival sideshows, starting in the 1990s the sport began to grow in popularity. Numerous competitions are held every year and feature various events, including ones in which participants must perform dead lifts, hold heavy weights in a pinch grip, or squeeze grippers (tools used to both increase and demonstrate grip strength) of varying resistance.
Bibliography
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