Correlation between handgrip strength and lower extremity strength amongst Malaysian professional football players

Background: We investigated the pattern of handgrip strength (HGS) and lower extremity strength in professional football players and how they were correlated. Methods: Secondary data were gathered during pre-participation evaluation sessions from a sample of 87 Selangor state-based Malaysian professional football players. The statistical analysis of the pattern of lower limb strength and HGS was based on the player’s position on the field. The correlation between HGS and lower extremity strength was looked at using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The factors that affect HGS were analysed using a multivariate regression model. Results: In both dominant ( P = 0.026) and non-dominant hands ( P = 0.016), goalkeepers had significantly higher HGS than strikers. Dominant HGS had a moderate correlation with knee extensor strength ( r = 0.38, P < 0.05). The moderate correlation between HGS and knee extensor strength remains consistent despite being controlled for weight ( r = 0.33, P <0.05) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) ( r = 0.31, P < 0.05). Significant correlations were observed despite the lower correlation value between dominant HGS and hip flexor strength ( r = 0.31, P < 0.05), hip extensor strength ( r = 0.30, P < 0.05) and knee flexor strength ( r = 0.29, P < 0.05). Dominant knee extensor strength and SMM were identified as statistically significant predictors for dominant HGS (F [2,84] = 11.60, P < 0.01) with R 2 = 0.22. Conclusions: The unique anthropometric traits of professional footballers, especially goalkeepers, improve HGS. Handgrip and knee extensor strength were moderately correlated, supporting previous study findings on the existence of a non-local effect between upper limb and lower limb strength.