Characteristics and lateral dominance of hand grip and elbow flexion powers in young male adults

This study aimed to clarify the characteristics and the lateral dominance of hand grip power and elbow flexion power. The subjects were 15 healthy young males (mean age 22.1+/-0.7 yr, mean height 171.3+/-3.4 cm, mean mass 64.5+/-4.1 kg). All subjects were right-handed. Peak power was measured by both hands with 6 different loads of 20%-70% of maximum voluntary contraction. The maximum voluntary contraction of hand grip movement and elbow flexion movement was significantly larger in the dominant hand. Peak power of the dominant hand was larger in all loads in hand grip movement and in loads of 20% and 30% of maximum voluntary contraction in elbow flexion movement. In short, lateral dominance was confirmed. Peak power was significantly larger in hand grip movement than in elbow flexion movement in both hands. Peak velocity decreased with increasing loads in both movements, but peak power increased until about 50% of maximum voluntary contraction and then decreased. The peak power ratio of the dominant hand to the nondominant hand was significantly larger in hand grip movement than in elbow flexion movement in all loads and the peak power ratio in elbow flexion movement was more marked in light loads. In conclusion, both powers showed lateral dominance. Lateral dominance is more marked in hand grip power.