The effects of the presence or the absence of flexor digitorum superficialis tendon of the little finger on the handgrip strength of athletes

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Erdağı, Kenan

Affiliations: Physical Education and Sports Department, Faculty of Education, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey | E-mail: kenanerdal@hotmail.com

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Physical Education and Sports Department, Faculty of Education, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey. E-mail: kenanerdal@hotmail.com.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Many daily functions and sporting events need high activity level of the flexor muscles of the forearms and hands. Handgrip strength is measured by a handheld dynamometer which is a reliable, safe and inexpensive device. OBJECTIVES:The study aims to find out whether the presence or absence of flexor digitorum superficialis tendon of the fifth (little) fingers (FDS-V) affects handgrip strength of athletes from different types of sports. METHODS:The effect of presence or absence of the FDS-V in a total number of 788 fingers of athletes (male n= 200, female n= 194) was assessed using isometric handgrip strength. RESULTS:No statistically significant difference existed in handgrip strength of the participants with and without the FDS-V of the little finger (p> 0.025). CONCLUSION: The presence or absence of FDS-V of the little finger in athletes has no effect on handgrip strength.

Keywords: Handgrip strength, flexor digitorum superficialis tendon, little finger

DOI: 10.3233/IES-202103

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 191-197, 2020