Exploring the Interplay of Handgrip Neuromuscular, Morphological, and Psychological Characteristics in Tactical Athletes and General Population: Gender- and Occupation-Based Specific Patterns

Bibliographic Details
Title: Exploring the Interplay of Handgrip Neuromuscular, Morphological, and Psychological Characteristics in Tactical Athletes and General Population: Gender- and Occupation-Based Specific Patterns
Authors: Miloš M. Milošević, Nenad Koropanovski, Marko Vuković, Branislav Božović, Filip Kukić, Miloš R. Mudrić, Andreas Stamatis, Milivoj Dopsaj
Source: Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, Vol 10, Iss 1, p 22 (2025)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Subject Terms: handgrip strength, maximal force, rate of force development, body mass index, mental toughens, dark triad, Diseases of the musculoskeletal system, RC925-935
More Details: Background/Objectives: The correlation of handgrip strength (HGS) and morphological characteristics with Big Five personality traits is well documented. However, it is unclear whether these relationships also exist in highly trained and specialized populations, such as tactical athletes, and whether there are specific differences compared to the general population. This study aimed to explore the interplay of handgrip neuromuscular, morphological, and psychological characteristics in tactical athletes and the general population of both genders. Methods: The research was conducted on a sample of 205 participants. A standardized method, procedure, and equipment (Sports Medical solutions) were used to measure the isometric neuromuscular characteristics of the handgrip. Basic morphological characteristics of body height, body mass, and body mass index were measured with a portable stadiometer and the InBody 720 device. Psychological characteristics were assessed with the Mental Toughness Index and Dark Triad Dirty Dozen questionnaires. Results: Numerous significant correlations were obtained, as well as differences between tactical athletes and the general population of both genders. The most prominent correlations were between the excitation index with Psychopathy and the Dark Triad (ρ = −0.41, −0.39) in female tactical athletes, as well as Neuroticism with body height, maximal force, and the maximum rate of force development in the male general population (ρ = 0.49, 0.43, 0.41). The obtained results also revealed gender and occupational specific patterns of researched relationships. Conclusions: Although the results of this study indicated the possibility of the existence of correlations between handgrip neuromuscular, morphological, and psychological characteristics in tactical athletes of both genders, nevertheless, at the moment, there is not enough solid evidence for that. That is why new research is needed. An analysis of muscle contractile and time parameters as neuromuscular indicators in the HGS task proved to be a possible promising method, which brought numerous new insights about the researched relationships. For practical application in the field, we propose including Mental Toughness and the Dark Triad traits in the selection process for future police officers and national security personnel based on the obtained results.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2411-5142
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/22; https://doaj.org/toc/2411-5142
DOI: 10.3390/jfmk10010022
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/9d44447a22744abf9036ca2d91991f05
Accession Number: edsdoj.9d44447a22744abf9036ca2d91991f05
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:24115142
DOI:10.3390/jfmk10010022
Published in:Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
Language:English