THE EFFECT OF GRIP SIZE AND GRIP STRENGTH ON PISTOL MARKSMANSHIP IN POLICE OFFICERS: A PILOT STUDY

  • Robin M. Orr Tactical Research Unit, Bond University
  • Anthony Rofe Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine, Bond University
  • Ben Hinton New South Wales Police Force
  • Jay Dawes Tactical Fitness and Nutrition Lab, Oklahoma State University
  • Gianpiero Greco Ministry of Interior, Public Security Department, State Police
  • Robert Lockie Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton
Keywords: Law enforcement; shooting; pistol accuracy; firearm

Abstract


Background: Police officers may be required to use their firearms in self-defence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between hand grip size and strength on pistol shooting accuracy in police officers. Methods: Twelve (age = 38.08±6.24 years; height = 174.42±7.33 cm) police officers had their hand sizes (palm width and hand span) and hand grip strength measured. Handgrip dynamometer was set at a Glock 17 pistol’s grip width (50mm). The officers fired 10 rounds from their service pistols at a stationary target. Independent samples t-tests were performed to identify differences between the sexes. Correlations were used to investigate relationships between measures of hand size, strength, and marksmanship. Alpha levels were set at p<0.05. Results: Male officers were significantly stronger (p=0.01) and had a bigger hand width (p=0.03), but not hand span. There were no significant differences in marksmanship between the sexes. Conclusions: Neither hand size nor grip strength had a significant impact on marksmanship even though there were strong and significant relationships between hand size (span and MCP) and grip strength. A V-shaped curve appears to exist between grip strength and marksmanship and hand span and marksmanship, with a potential influencing factor being the standard sizing of the pistol grip.

References

Anderson, G. S., & Plecas, D. B. (2000). Predicting shooting scores from physical performance data. Policing: AN International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 23(4), 525-537. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639510010355611
Binder, A., & Fridell, L. (1984). Lethal force as a police response. Criminal Justice Abstracts,
Carbone, P., Carlton, S., Stierli, M., & Orr, R. (2014). The impact of load carriage on the marksmanship of the tactical police officer: a pilot study. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 22(2), 50-57.
Charles, M. T., & Copay, A. G. (2001). Marksmanship skills of female police recruits: Impact of basic firearms training. International Journal of Police Science & Management, 3(4), 303-308.
Charles, M. T., & Copay, A. G. (2003). Acquisition of marksmanship and gun handling skills through basic law enforcement training in an American police department. International Journal of Police Science & Management, 5(1), 16-30. https://doi.org/10.1350/ijps.5.1.16.11245
Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Lawrence Earlbaum Associates.
Copay, A. G., & Charles, M. T. (2001). The influence of grip strength on handgun marksmanship in basic law enforcement training. Policing: AN International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 24(1), 32-39.
Dawes, J., Lockie, R. G., Kukić, F., Cvorovic, A., Kornhauser, C., Holmes, R., & Orr, R. M. (2019). Accuracy of self-reported height, body mass and derived body mass index in a group of law enforcement officers. Journal of Criminalistics and Law, 24(2).
Dawes, J., Orr, R., Flores, R., Lockie, R., Kornhauser, C., & Holmes, R. (2017). A physical fitness profile of state highway patrol officers by gender and age. Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 29(16), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0173-0
Dopsaj, M., Marković, S., & Prebeg, G. (2020). New possible multidimensional models for classification of the basic level of pistol shooting skill. Journal of Criminalists and Law, 25(2), 29-38.
Dopsaj, M., Marković, S., Umek, A., Prebeg, G., & Kos, A. (2019). Mathematical model of short distance pistol shooting performance in experienced shooters of both gender. Journal of Criminialistics and Law, 24(3), 3-13. https://doi.org/10.5937/nabepo24-23287
Dortkamph, M. (1987). The Fitness Evaluation Handbook. Exact Publishing: London, UK.
Geller, W. A., & Scott, M. (1992). Deadly force: What we know: A practitioner's desk reference on police-involved shootings.
Hopkins, W. (2002). A scale of magnitude for effect statistics. Retrieved October 6 from www.sportsci.org/resource/stats/index.html
Hopkins, W. G. (2004). How to interpret changes in an athletic performance test. Sport Science, 8, 1-7.
Liao, K.-H. (2016). Optimal handle grip span for maximum hand grip strength and accurate grip control strength exertion according to individual hand size. Journal of Osteoporosis and Physical Activity, 4(2), 1-6.
Matulia, K. J. (1985). A balance of forces: Model deadly force policy and procedure. International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Muirhead, H., Orr, R., Schram, B., Kornhauser, C., Holmes, R., & Dawes, J. J. (2019). The relationship between fitness and marksmanship in Police Officers. Safety, 5(3), 54.
Orr, R., Pope, R., Siterli, M., & Hinton, B. (2017). Grip Strength and Its Relationship to Police Recruit Task Performance and Injury Risk: A Retrospective Cohort Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(8), 941. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14080941
Published
2021/06/11
Section
Original Scientific Papers