Stability of Hand Grip Strength Across a Competitive Season in Elite Male and Female Ice Hockey Players

This study examines how hand grip strength changes over the course of a competitive ice hockey season in elite male and female players. Hand grip strength is a simple and widely used measure of upper-body strength and functional capacity. It is often used in sports science and clinical settings, but it is unclear whether grip strength remains stable throughout a season or changes depending on training load, match exposure, and fatigue. In this study, elite ice hockey players from Swedish teams will have their grip strength measured at four timepoints during one season: pre-season, early season, mid-season, and late season. Both dominant and non-dominant hand strength will be assessed using a standardized dynamometer and protocol. The main purpose is to determine how much grip strength varies within individual players over time and whether a single measurement can be considered representative of a player's true strength level across a season. The study will also evaluate the reliability of grip strength measurements and whether observed changes are large enough to be meaningful in a clinical or performance context. No intervention is performed, and all measurements are non-invasive and conducted as part of routine testing environments within participating teams.

Inclusion Criteria: * Contracted elite ice hockey players in participating Swedish teams (SHL, HockeyAllsvenskan, SDHL or equivalent top division) * Male or female players competing at elite level * Available for testing at all predefined measurement timepoints across the season * Able to perform maximal hand grip strength testing * Provides informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Acute hand or wrist injury at baseline preventing maximal grip strength testing * Any condition during the study period preventing completion of repeated grip strength assessments * Inability to participate in all scheduled measurement sessions * Refusal to participate