Effects of wrist wraps on throwing distance in highly skilled shot put athletes

A Cross-Sectional Examination of Wrist Wrap Use Prevalence and Characterization for Ergogenic Purposes in Actively Competing Powerlifters

“…More specifically, although squat-specific Wilks coefficient and 1RM failed to reveal any significance or correlations, when associated to bench press-specific Wilks coefficient and 1RM, SpO 2 demonstrated a small negative correlation. The latter has been indicated by numerous studies elucidating that tighter joint-based equipment augment performance, wherein this may potentially be due to the above mentioned ostensible increase in both objective and subjective stability (17,18,20,21,25,37). Conversely, body weight was singularly the only significant predictor in estimating our participants' bench press performance.…”

“…This investigation is the first to examine the prevalence of wrist wrap use in competitive powerlifters as an ergogenic aid, specifically detailing several product- specific variations and the potential for tightnessassociated variables such as subjective discomfort and finger-specific oxygen saturation to predict competition bench press performance. Incidentally, we are unaware of any previous research that has examined wrist wrap use pervasiveness, whereas other investigations have assessed the effects of other compressional equipment such as knee wraps and sleeves, bench shirts, erector shirts, and deadlift suits on performance indices (13,16,20,25,30,31,36,38). Nevertheless, our findings suggest that there is no universal employment of a singular wrap style or length amidst our participant pool of actively competing powerlifters.…”

“…Despite claims concerning injury prevention, rehabilitation, and more general performance improvements, strikingly few investigations corroborate the efficacy of wrist wrap use (4,10,13,20,25). Specifically, a single investigation by Judge et al (20) described a significant wrist wrap-mediated improvement in throwing distance amongst Olympic male shotput athletes relative to unwrapped controls. The authors contend this performance enhancement was likely facilitated by augmenting natural passive stiffness across the wrist joint (20).…”

“…Specifically, a single investigation by Judge et al (20) described a significant wrist wrap-mediated improvement in throwing distance amongst Olympic male shotput athletes relative to unwrapped controls. The authors contend this performance enhancement was likely facilitated by augmenting natural passive stiffness across the wrist joint (20). Moreover, several product-specific variations like type (i.e., material and length) and tightness of wrist wraps may alter the assistance provided to the wearer (13,20).…”

“…The authors contend this performance enhancement was likely facilitated by augmenting natural passive stiffness across the wrist joint (20). Moreover, several product-specific variations like type (i.e., material and length) and tightness of wrist wraps may alter the assistance provided to the wearer (13,20). Despite widespread wrist wrap use in both recreational and competitive powerlifters, no investigations have hitherto characterized their use amongst these athletes, nor the potentially large differences between the multiplicity of products worn.…”