Racket Grip Doesn't Cause Tennis Elbow

Ivanhoe Newswire
Tuesday, December 5, 2006; 12:00 AM

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Size doesn't matter when it comes to the grip on a tennis racket and risk for tennis elbow.

A new study reveals a grip that is either too big or too small for the player's hand does not play a role in whether they develop tennis elbow. Researchers report the ideal grip may affect how a player hits the ball, but it's unlikely to lead to overuse injuries.

"Clinicians who treat patients with tennis elbow often tell them to try a different size grip in order to alleviate muscle fatigue," reports lead author George F. Hatch III, M.D., University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles. "Our study demonstrates that those recommendations have no scientific basic. Therefore, it is reasonable to recommend whatever grip size feels most comfortable for them."

Investigators looked at 16 NCAA Division I and II tennis players who had no prior elbow problems. Their grip size was determined using the recommended industry standard -- measuring the distance from the bottom lengthwise crease in the palm to the tip of the ring finger.

Researchers inserted electrodes into five different muscles in the players' dominant arm. The players performed single-handed backhand strokes with rackets of three different grip sizes. The study found no significant differences in muscle activity between the small, recommended, or big grips in any muscle tested.

Tennis elbow is the most common upper extremity complaint among recreational players. It accounts for 75 percent to 85 percent of elbow injuries.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2006;34:1977-1983