Ice HockeyNCT07570784
Stability of Hand Grip Strength Across a Competitive Season in Elite Male and Female Ice Hockey Players
An observational study of Ice Hockey and Grip Strength, run by Dalarna County Council, Sweden at 1 site in Sweden.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Ice Hockey, Grip Strength, Within-season Variability
- How many people
- 150 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSweden
- Study dates
- Sep 2026to 31 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: 150
Who may be able to join
- 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
Who cannot join
- 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
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Tomas Hultgren, MD contact
Sweden1 site
Center for Clinical Research Dalarna, Uppsala University
Falun, Dalarna County, 79182
About this study
Official title: Stability of Hand Grip Strength Across a Competitive Season in Elite Male and Female Ice Hockey Players: A Prospective Longitudinal Observational Cohort Study
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.
Read more
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.
Read the detailed description
This is a prospective longitudinal observational cohort study designed to evaluate within-season variability and measurement stability of maximal isometric hand grip strength in elite ice hockey players.
Hand grip strength is widely used as a surrogate marker of upper-limb strength and general neuromuscular capacity. Although its reliability has been well described in clinical and general athletic populations when measured using standardized protocols, limited evidence exists regarding its temporal stability in elite collision sport athletes over an entire competitive season. In particular, it remains unclear whether grip strength behaves as a stable individual characteristic or whether it is influenced by seasonal training load, match congestion, fatigue, or adaptation effects.
The study will include elite male and female ice hockey players recruited from Swedish top-level teams. Participants will undergo repeated standardized grip strength assessments at four predefined timepoints across one competitive season: pre-season baseline, early mid-season, late mid-season, and pre-playoff/end-of-season phase. All measurements will be performed using a calibrated hand dynamometer following a standardized protocol based on established clinical measurement guidelines, including consistent body positioning, handle adjustment, and repeated maximal trials for both dominant and non-dominant hands. Mean values from repeated trials will be used for analysis.
To reduce measurement variability, all testing will be conducted by trained assessors using harmonized instructions across participating teams. Where possible, testing sessions will be scheduled to minimize acute fatigue effects by ensuring a standardized recovery period following matches or high-intensity training sessions.
The primary analytical focus is within-subject variability of grip strength across the season, quantified using measures of dispersion and reliability, including coefficient of variation (CV%), within-subject standard deviation, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Additional analyses will estimate measurement error (standard error of measurement) and minimal detectable change (MDC95) to determine the smallest meaningful change in grip strength that exceeds expected measurement noise.
Longitudinal changes in grip strength across the season will be assessed using mixed-effects statistical models to account for repeated measures within individuals and potential group-level effects such as sex and playing level.
The study does not involve any interventions, treatment allocation, or experimental manipulation. All assessments are non-invasive and conducted within routine team environments. The findings are intended to inform interpretation of grip strength in athletic monitoring, rehabilitation contexts, and performance evaluation, specifically whether single timepoint measurements can be reliably used for comparison against normative data or whether seasonality must be considered in clinical and performance decision-making.
- Conditions
- Ice Hockey, Grip Strength, Within-season Variability
- Keywords
- ice hockey, hand grip strength, within-season variability, test-retest reliability
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Ice Hockey Players Cohort | Elite male and female ice hockey players from Swedish top-level teams (SHL, HockeyAllsvenskan, SDHL). Participants undergo repeated standardized measurements of hand grip strength across four predefined timepoints during one competitive season (pre-season, early season, mid-season, and pre-playoff/end-of-season). The same individuals are followed longitudinally to assess within-subject variability and stability of grip strength over time. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Within-Subject Variability of Hand Grip Strength
Within-subject variability of maximal isometric hand grip strength across a competitive season in elite ice hockey players, expressed as coefficient of variation (CV%) across repeated measurements.
Measured: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months
Secondary outcomes (5)
Test-Retest Reliability of Hand Grip Strength
Reliability of repeated grip strength measurements across the season assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).
Measured: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months
Within-Subject Standard Deviation of Grip Strength
Absolute within-player variability in grip strength across the competitive season.
Measured: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months
Standard Error of Measurement (SEM)
Measurement error of grip strength across repeated seasonal assessments.
Measured: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months
Minimal Detectable Change (MDC95)
Smallest change in grip strength considered beyond measurement error with 95% confidence.
Measured: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months
Seasonal Change in Grip Strength
Systematic changes in maximal grip strength across the competitive season assessed using longitudinal mixed-effects models.
Measured: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted6 May 2026
- Study startSep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Ice HockeyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Dalarna County Council, Sweden
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Daniel Muder, Dalarna County Council, Sweden
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07570784
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- EPM 2026-03226-01
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 5 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Any data shared with colleagues or collaborating researchers will be fully anonymized or pseudonymized to protect participant privacy in accordance with GDPR regulations. Data transfers will occur under strict confidentiality agreements, and all parties will adhere to applicable data protection laws to ensure the security and privacy of personal information. We will act in accordance with the ethical approval granted by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (EPM) and comply with all relevant local policies regarding data protection.
Publications
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.
PubMed 30216250Roberts 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.
PubMed 21624928
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Stability of Hand Grip Strength Across a Competitive Season in Elite Male and Female Ice Hockey Players: A Prospective Longitudinal Observational Cohort Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07570784
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- EPM 2026-03226-01
- Conditions
- Ice Hockey, Grip Strength, Within-season Variability
- Keywords
- ice hockey, hand grip strength, within-season variability, test-retest reliability
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 150 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Dalarna County Council, SwedenUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Apr 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 6 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
This is a prospective longitudinal observational cohort study designed to evaluate within-season variability and measurement stability of maximal isometric hand grip strength in elite ice hockey players.
Hand grip strength is widely used as a surrogate marker of upper-limb strength and general neuromuscular capacity. Although its reliability has been well described in clinical and general athletic populations when measured using standardized protocols, limited evidence exists regarding its temporal stability in elite collision sport athletes over an entire competitive season. In particular, it remains unclear whether grip strength behaves as a stable individual characteristic or whether it is influenced by seasonal training load, match congestion, fatigue, or adaptation effects.
The study will include elite male and female ice hockey players recruited from Swedish top-level teams. Participants will undergo repeated standardized grip strength assessments at four predefined timepoints across one competitive season: pre-season baseline, early mid-season, late mid-season, and pre-playoff/end-of-season phase. All measurements will be performed using a calibrated hand dynamometer following a standardized protocol based on established clinical measurement guidelines, including consistent body positioning, handle adjustment, and repeated maximal trials for both dominant and non-dominant hands. Mean values from repeated trials will be used for analysis.
To reduce measurement variability, all testing will be conducted by trained assessors using harmonized instructions across participating teams. Where possible, testing sessions will be scheduled to minimize acute fatigue effects by ensuring a standardized recovery period following matches or high-intensity training sessions.
The primary analytical focus is within-subject variability of grip strength across the season, quantified using measures of dispersion and reliability, including coefficient of variation (CV%), within-subject standard deviation, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Additional analyses will estimate measurement error (standard error of measurement) and minimal detectable change (MDC95) to determine the smallest meaningful change in grip strength that exceeds expected measurement noise.
Longitudinal changes in grip strength across the season will be assessed using mixed-effects statistical models to account for repeated measures within individuals and potential group-level effects such as sex and playing level.
The study does not involve any interventions, treatment allocation, or experimental manipulation. All assessments are non-invasive and conducted within routine team environments. The findings are intended to inform interpretation of grip strength in athletic monitoring, rehabilitation contexts, and performance evaluation, specifically whether single timepoint measurements can be reliably used for comparison against normative data or whether seasonality must be considered in clinical and performance decision-making.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Elite Ice Hockey Players Cohort | – | –Elite male and female ice hockey players from Swedish top-level teams (SHL, HockeyAllsvenskan, SDHL). Participants undergo repeated standardized measurements of hand grip strength across four predefined timepoints during one competitive season (pre-season, early season, mid-season, and pre-playoff/end-of-season). The same individuals are followed longitudinally to assess within-subject variability and stability of grip strength over time. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- 150
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 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
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- 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
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Within-Subject Variability of Hand Grip Strength
Time frame: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months
Within-subject variability of maximal isometric hand grip strength across a competitive season in elite ice hockey players, expressed as coefficient of variation (CV%) across repeated measurements.
5 secondary outcomes
Test-Retest Reliability of Hand Grip Strength
Time frame: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months
Within-Subject Standard Deviation of Grip Strength
Time frame: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months
Standard Error of Measurement (SEM)
Time frame: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months
Minimal Detectable Change (MDC95)
Time frame: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months
Seasonal Change in Grip Strength
Time frame: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 30216250Toong 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.
- Background: PubMed 21624928Roberts 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.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Any data shared with colleagues or collaborating researchers will be fully anonymized or pseudonymized to protect participant privacy in accordance with GDPR regulations. Data transfers will occur under strict confidentiality agreements, and all parties will adhere to applicable data protection laws to ensure the security and privacy of personal information. We will act in accordance with the ethical approval granted by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (EPM) and comply with all relevant local policies regarding data protection.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Tomas Hultgren, MD contact
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Ice Hockey and Grip Strength, run by Dalarna County Council, Sweden at 1 site in Sweden.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Sweden. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Daniel Muder, MD, PhD (+46722027596, danielmuder@email.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Within-Subject Variability of Hand Grip Strength (time frame: From baseline (pre-season) to end of season (pre-playoff), up to 8 months). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07570784, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Jun 2026.