Strength Training Induces Greater Increase in Handgrip Strength than Wrestling Training per se.

This study investigated the effectiveness of a specialized strength training program on maximal handgrip strength in young wrestlers. 72 young wrestlers (36 children: 8-10 years-old and 36 adolescents:13-15 years-old) participated in the present study. Both age-categories were assigned into a training group (18 children and 18 adolescents) and a control group (18 children and 18 adolescents). The training groups, in conjunction with the wrestling training performed a 4-month (2 sessions/week) specialized handgrip training program. Maximal handgrip strength was evaluated pre, at the intermediate (2 months) and at the completion of the program (4 months). Maximal handgrip strength values increased during the intermediate and post-training measurements compared to pre-training measurement in training and control groups (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed on pre-training and intermediate measurements between groups, while significant differences were observed during the post-training measurement. Training group exhibited significantly (p<0.01) greater maximal handgrip strength values than the control group irrespective of age-category and hand-preference. A 4-month handgrip strength training program, incorporated into the conventional wrestling training, provokes greater adaptations in maximal handgrip strength than the wrestling training per se. For greater handgrip training adaptations are required more than 14 specialized handgrip training-sessions.

Age-related differences in peak handgrip strength between wrestlers and nonathletes during the developmental years.

This study examined the development of peak handgrip strength from childhood to adulthood in wrestlers (n = 122) and nonathlete controls (n = 122). The effect of hand preference on handgrip strength and the relationship of anthropometrical characteristics with handgrip strength in wrestlers and controls were also evaluated. Participants were assigned into age groups: children, young adolescents, late adolescents, and adults. Body height and mass, hand dimensions (length, span, and width), and absolute handgrip (in kilograms) were measured. Handgrip strength was similar in wrestlers and controls in the younger age groups (i.e., in children and young adolescents), whereas late adolescent and adult wrestlers exhibited significantly greater peak handgrip strength (p < 0.05) than their control peers. Nonathletes older than 15 years demonstrated an approximately 10% greater peak handgrip strength (p < 0.05) with their preferred hand compared with the nonpreferred hand. In contrast, late adolescent and adult wrestlers exhibited similar handgrip strength with both hands. Peak handgrip strength exhibited a significant linear correlation with all the anthropometric measures examined; however, a higher percentage in the variation in peak handgrip strength was explained by body height and hand length than the other anthropometric variables in both groups. In conclusion, wrestlers exhibit a sport-specific pattern of handgrip strength changes during the developmental years. Body height and hand length exhibited the strongest correlations with handgrip strength during the developmental years in wrestlers and in controls. The training adaptations of wrestling resulted in symmetrical handgrip strength development in both hands at late adolescence and adulthood. These data serve to provide a descriptive profile of handgrip strength in wrestlers, to assist both coaches and health professionals for talent selection and/or development of training programs for performance enhancement and rehabilitation.

A multimethod examination of the relationship between coaching behavior and athletes' inherent self-talk.

The aim of the present research was to investigate the relationship between coaching behavior and athletes' inherent self-talk (ST). Three studies were conducted. The first study tested the construct validity of the Coaching Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) in the Greek language, and provided support for its original factor structure. The second study examined the relationships between coaching behavior and athletes' ST in field, with two different samples. The results showed that supportive coaching behavior was positively related to positive ST (in one sample) and negatively related to negative ST (in both samples), whereas negative coaching behavior was negatively related to positive ST (in one sample) and positively related to negative ST (in both samples). Finally, the third study examined the relationships experimentally, to produce evidence regarding the direction of causality. The results showed that variations in coaching behavior affected participants' ST. Overall, the results of the present investigation provided considerable evidence regarding the links between coaching behavior and athletes' ST and suggested that coaches may have an impact on athletes' thoughts.