103. Fitness Assessment, Exercise Training, and Performance of Athletes and Healthy People - sport science Scientific Abstract

3774 - Combined Driving: Task-specific Position Impacts Grip Strength Of Equestrian Athletes

Session Type
Free Communication/Poster
Session Name
G-34 - Performance
Session Category Text
Fitness Assessment, Exercise Training, and Performance of Athletes and Healthy People
Disclosures
 M. Keener: None.

Abstract

Equivalent to a human triathlon, combined driving is an equestrian sport designed to test ability to navigate horses and carriage during three phases. Drivers control up to four horses at a time relying heavily on hand strength. PURPOSE: to 1) establish baseline data on grip strength and endurance of combined drivers in standing and task-specific positions; and 2) compare grip values to normative data by driver age. METHODS: Drivers were included if medically cleared to actively compete, and free from current injury. Fifty-one combined drivers (9 males, 42 females) ages 21-78 participated during two nationally recognized events. All drivers were right hand dominant. 63% of drivers were over 50 y/o. 22% of drivers reported having arthritis in their hands/wrists. Drivers completed a demographics and sport-specific survey, and three grip tests in two positions: standing and task-specific (sitting). Measures included peak values and endurance. Peak grip was recorded into four categories based on normative values.
RESULTS: Females with more than 30 yrs of driving experience had higher strength in the non-dominant hand (p=0.0345). There was a significant difference between strength based on position for both sexes (Table 1). Over 45% of females were stronger than normative data for both dominant and non-dominant hand, while only 22% of males fell in the stronger category. Female drivers average hand grip strength was 1.25 times greater than the normative population. The endurance for all subjects was significantly higher for the right hand (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to establish standing and task-specific grip strength in combined drivers. Female drivers over 50 y/o demonstrated greater hand strength in their non-dominant hand, suggesting continuous use of hands for driving promotes strengthening muscle and maintaining hand function regardless of reported arthritis. Results demonstrated equestrian driving is beneficial to hand grip strength.
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