The Impact of Aging and Hand Dominance on the Passive Wrist Stiffness of Squash Players: Pilot Study

Taya Hamilton,Stan Durand,Hermano Igo Krebs

doi:10.2196/11670

Taya Hamilton, Stan Durand + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2196/11670

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Abstract

Background: Passive joint stiffness can influence the risk of injury and the ability to participate in sports and activities of daily living. However, little is known about how passive joint stiffness changes over time with intensive repetitive exercise, particularly when performing unilateral activities using the dominant upper limb.

Highlights

BackgroundJoint stiffness is a biomechanical feature of human anatomy that is both essential and potentially detrimental to participation in sports, leisure activities such as music, and activities of daily living
As increased mechanical stimulation of the wrist likely leads to adaptation in muscle tissue during competitive squash play, we hypothesize that (1) squash players will have a larger difference in wrist quasi-stiffness between the dominant and nondominant upper limb, regardless of age, and (2) the orientation of wrist stiffness would be equivalent for all study participants
Of paramount importance that we develop our understanding of the properties and variables of passive wrist stiffness in different populations to better comprehend how stiffness impacts the planning and coordination of wrist movements by the neuromuscular system during functional and sporting activities

Summary

Introduction

BackgroundJoint stiffness is a biomechanical feature of human anatomy that is both essential and potentially detrimental to participation in sports, leisure activities such as music, and activities of daily living. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the difference in passive wrist quasi-stiffness between the dominant and nondominant upper limb of competitive squash players, compare these results with a previous study on young unskilled subjects, and explore the impact of aging on wrist stiffness. There was a statistically significant difference between the magnitude of passive quasi-stiffness between the dominant and nondominant wrist of the young and older squash player groups (P=.004). Conclusions: Findings from this pilot study are novel and contribute to our understanding of the likely long-term effect of highly intensive, unilateral sports on wrist quasi-stiffness and the aging process: adults who participate in repetitive sporting exercise may experience greater joint quasi-stiffness when they are younger than 45 years and more flexibility when they are older than 60 years

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