Analyzing of accelaration and mean maximal speed performance with respect to hand and foot dominance and starting foot position in 15 to 20 years male athletes

Hand and foot dominances were taken into account in talent selection and evaluating training program in young athletes. This study aims to analyse the accelaration and mean maximal speed performance with respect to hand and foot dominance and starting foot position in 15 to 20 years adolescent male athletes. Data were collected from 173 volunteer U-15 and U-19 soccer players from in Adana Amateur Sport Clubs. The mean values were 16.09±1.32 years for age, 173.23±7.53 cm. for body height, 61.98±9.33 kg for body weight, 20.56±2.10 for body mass index (BMI), respectively.The running speed for 15 m, 30 m, 45 m and 60 m has been measured by photocells. Hand grip strength (HGS) was also measured by dynomemeter. Statistical analyses of data were performed Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U test. Spearman sequential correlation coefficients were also calculated among variables. Results of this study showed that the mean values of both handers (BH) for 30m, 60m were higher than right handers (RH), and left handers (LH). There wasn't difference between the hand preferences and the mean 15 m, and maximum speed of 45 m. No significant difference was observed in speed with respect to foot dominance and the rear foot position. Hand dominance were significantly correlated with 15 m, 30m, 60 m, 45 m mean maximum sprints and left HGS at 0.05 level. In addition, right and left HGS were well correlated with 15m, 30 m, 45 m and 60 m sprints at 0.01 significance level. In conclusion, the superiority of both handers in adolescent athletes shows the importance of symmetrical strength development in the talent identification and evaulating training programs. Keywords: Hand, Foot Preference, Sprint Running, Handgrip Strength.