Throughout the years, multiple experiments have been conducted comparing the physical capabilities of athletes and non athletes, in order to determine whether or not there is any significant difference between the two groups. Investigation on this topic can be an indicator of one’s overall health, and give a general understanding of one’s musculoskeletal system. Grip strength, or a measure of force of an individual, can be used to show how muscular strength varies between people with differing lifestyles. Understanding effects of certain activities, and their influence on our muscles can help one determine if there is a statistically significant difference between grip strengths of individuals who may or may not have affected their bone strengths by participating in sports. This is an important area of study considering the function of our hands, and how crucial muscular strength is in the daily lives of individuals, in order to complete simple tasks such as eating and drinking.
Previous research on this area of study was completed on a group of mean with ranging ages, in order to determine how rapid grip strength exertion affected tension developments in active individuals and non active individuals. The study not only described how tensions between individuals of various ages was significantly different, but increased for those involved in some sort of athletic activity as compared to those who were not active (Uchino et. al., 2010). The goal of this experiment was to show whether or not any amount of athletic involvement influence grip strength. While the previous study examined differences in tensions of athletes and non-athletes of men, the current practice will focus on both men and women of similar ages, to determine whether or not force production is influenced by athletic involvement.
The null hypothesis of this experiment is that there is no statistically significant difference between the grip strengths of athletes and non-athletes, as measured by force production from his/her right hand. On the other hand, the alternative hypothesis is that there is a statistically significant difference between the grip strengths of athletes and non-athletes, as measured by force production from his/her right hand.
Materials and Methods:
The results of this experiment are a collection of data gathered from the University of California Los Angeles Life Sciences 23 Laboratory (UCLA LS23L) class, on its online Human Physiology database. Although the data was collected from four different stations, this study will only focus on the results of the Grip Strength Sensor station, which tested a range of human physiology parameters influenced by an individuals force (Pfuegl, 2018). In order to gather background information on the subject themselves, each student was asked to participate in a demographic survey so data could be placed categorically based on responses to the survey questions. To compare grip strength, students utilized a Hand Dynamometer linked to a computer program known as, Vernier, which collects data for individuals as he or she completes each of the steps.
Initially, individuals must zero the readings, by first holding the dynamometer from the sides, upright without any force. Next, the subject sits on a chair with their back straight and feet flat on the ground, holding the hand dynamometer, keeping the elbow of at a 90 degree angle, making sure that their view is away from the screen to avoid changing data. After two seconds of baseline data collection, test subjects are instructed to grip the hand dynamometer for 8 seconds with maximum strength. The computer software program, Vernier generated mean (average) force and maximum force, which was then entered into the Human Physiology database by students. Data assessed in the study is only data collected from test subjects right hands.
Data used for this experiment was specific to grip strengths specific to students who answered ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when asked whether or not they are/were athletes. The two groups force productions were then compared in order to determine whether or not there was any statistically significant difference between the two groups, using a statistical test, known as a t-test.
Results:
The sample sizes for each of the two groups is known to be n=1,157 for athletes and n=2,768 for non-athletes, for a total sample population of n=3,925. The units for which the average mean force, maximum force, and standard deviation were calculated in are Newtons (N). The average maximum force for right handed, athletic individuals was calculated to be 238.71 N, with a standard deviation of 86.78 N. For non-athletic subjects, the average maximum force was 182.43 N, with a standard deviation of 72.42 N. Additionally, the mean force for athletic individuals was 207.29 N on average, with a standard deviation of 82.28 N. The mean force for non-athletic students was 154.97 N on average, with a standard deviation of 66.763 N. After compiling all the results, the Vernier software conducted and unpaired two-tailed t-test and produced a t-value of 14.78 for the maximum force, and a corresponding p-value of .001. Lastly, the t-value for mean force was 14.72 with a p-value of .001.
Discussion:
The p-value calculated from the t-test, .001 was lower than 0.05 or 5%, our threshold for significance, which means the null hypothesis can be rejected, therefore there is a statistically significant between the grip strengths of athletic individuals, and those that do not participate in an athletic activity. The difference was determined by gathering information about force production in the right hands of current or past athletes and non-athletes. Similar to how tensions of athletic and older individuals was greater in Uchino’s experiment, the grip strengths of athletic individuals of similar ages was also greater than non-athletic individuals. A prior study conducted, calculating differences in force gradation of athletes and non-athletes using tug-of-war athletes who have significant training with grip strength relates to this study in that, individuals with athletic training have greater force outputs than those with no athletic past (Lin et. al., 2011).
Possible sources of error could be attributed to inconsistencies in the test group. Since the data used has been retrieved over the past few years by various students, it is possible the students did not use the same technique for each experiment. This inconsistency would explain the high standard deviation of about 80 N in both athletes and non-athletes. Another problem with the experiment itself is the integrity of test subjects. Although students are asked to look away from the screen, it is possible that individuals watched their results, applying more force when motion of graph started to fall. There was also a large difference in the amount of data coming from athletic subjects and non athletic subjects, with about a 1000 more non-athletes, which can possibly change the data by some amount. It is highly unlikely for the data to significantly change, however, still possible. Additionally, students could have used two hands to collect the force when the procedure asks to use one, or rested their hands on a surface. Lastly, the test subjects could have made an error in using lab equipment itself, and holding it incorrectly. Still, the experiment rejects the null hypothesis with sufficient evidence, so these sources of error may only decrease the variability and not the overall results.
Future extensions of current work could test to see if there is any correlation between athletic individuals and subjects who play an instrument. Although training through exercise for athletes can attribute to a greater grip strength, musicians must hold instruments for long periods of time which can influence muscle strength and other muscular reflexes. This experiment can show whether exercise is the cause of increased grip strength in athletes or their constant contact with balls and bats, that requires force production and a good grip. In order to further knowledge on grip strengths of athletes and non-athletes, research could instead be focused on the dominant hand of individuals, which may have significant influence on the results. More information from these studies could help physical therapists better understand force production in muscles and allow them to better serve patients who may have decreased grip strength.
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