Normative Hand Grip Strength Values in Swedish Male and Female Ice Hockey Players Across Competitive Levels

NCT07567547 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: EPM to be filled in.
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 800
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study measures hand grip strength in male and female ice hockey players across different Swedish leagues to create reference (normative) values for adult players. Hand grip strength is a simple test of how strongly a person can squeeze with their hand. Although it seems basic, it reflects overall upper-body strength and is widely used in both sports science and healthcare. In this project, players from different levels of ice hockey (including professional men's and women's leagues, junior players, and recreational players if available) will have their grip strength measured using a standardized hand dynamometer. Measurements will be taken in a consistent way across all participating clubs. The main goal is to build a reference database showing what "normal" grip strength looks like in ice hockey players depending on sex, league level, and playing position. This can help coaches, medical staff, and researchers better understand strength profiles in hockey athletes, support training and rehabilitation decisions, and provide benchmarks for future studies. No treatment or intervention is given as part of the study.

Conditions

Hand Grip Strength in Healthy Male and Female Ice Hockey Players; Normative Reference Values for Athletic Populations

Keywords

ice hockey; athletes; grip strength; normative data

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Maximal Hand Grip Strength

  Maximal isometric hand grip strength measured in kilograms using a standardized hand dynamometer in adult male and female ice hockey players. Measurements will be performed for both dominant and non-dominant hands using a standardized protocol, and mean maximal value will be used for analysis.

  Baseline.

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Anthropometric Characteristics

  Baseline.

• Demographic and Playing Characteristics

  Baseline.

Study Arms (1)

Ice Hockey Players

Adult male and female ice hockey players from multiple competitive levels in Sweden, including professional, semi-professional, junior elite, and recreational players. Participants undergo a single standardized measurement of hand grip strength.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 15 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult male and female ice hockey players recruited from Swedish ice hockey clubs across multiple competitive levels, including professional (SHL and SDHL), second-tier (HockeyAllsvenskan and Women's Allsvenskan where available), junior elite (U18/U20), and selected recreational teams. Participants are drawn from active club rosters during the pre-season or early competitive season period. Recruitment is conducted in collaboration with participating clubs and their medical or strength and conditioning staff. The population represents a broad sample of Swedish ice hockey players across sex, age, and competitive level.

You may qualify if:

• Adult male or female ice hockey players.
• Registered and actively participating in a Swedish ice hockey club during the current season.
• Participation in one of the included competitive levels: professional, semi-professional, junior elite, or recreational leagues in Sweden.
• Able to perform maximal hand grip strength testing. Provides written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Current acute injury of the upper extremity (hand, wrist, forearm, or elbow) that prevents safe or valid grip strength testing.
• Any medical condition that contraindicates maximal effort testing, as determined by team medical staff or study personnel.
• Refusal or inability to provide informed consent.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Dalarna County Council, Sweden: lead

Related Publications (4)

• HAKIR - Handkirurgiskt kvalitetsregister, Swedish Hand Surgery Quality Registry. Nationell manual för mätning av rörelse och styrka [Internet]. Sweden; 2025 Sep. Report No.: Version 1, 2024. Available from: Version 1, 2024

  BACKGROUND

• Chiarlitti NA, Delisle-Houde P, Reid RER, Kennedy C, Andersen RE. Importance of Body Composition in the National Hockey League Combine Physiological Assessments. J Strength Cond Res. 2018 Nov;32(11):3135-3142. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002309.

  PMID: 29065054 BACKGROUND

• Toong T, Wilson KE, Urban K, Paniccia M, Hunt AW, Keightley M, Reed N. Grip Strength in Youth Ice Hockey Players: Normative Values and Predictors of Performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2018 Dec;32(12):3494-3502. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002815.

  PMID: 30216250 BACKGROUND

• Roberts HC, Denison HJ, Martin HJ, Patel HP, Syddall H, Cooper C, Sayer AA. A review of the measurement of grip strength in clinical and epidemiological studies: towards a standardised approach. Age Ageing. 2011 Jul;40(4):423-9. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afr051. Epub 2011 May 30.

  PMID: 21624928 BACKGROUND

Study Officials

• Daniel Muder, MD, PhD

  Centre for Clinical Research Dalarna, Uppsala University, Sweden

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Daniel Muder, MD, PhD

CONTACT

+46722027596; danielmuder@email.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 23, 2026
• First Posted: May 5, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: May 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: From the publication of the protocol and for 10 years thereafter.
• Access Criteria: Access to individual participant data is typically restricted to authorized researchers involved in the study or approved collaborators under strict confidentiality and data protection agreements.