Comparative assessment of fine motor skills and manual dexterity in adolescent basketball players, other athletes, and inactive peers

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined the influence of specialized athletic training on the development of manual dexterity in a youth population. A total of 78 participants aged 8–15 years were divided into three groups: the Basketball Group (BG; n = 37), the Sports Group (SG; n = 19, engaged in activities such as soccer or martial arts), and the Non-Sports Group (nSG; n = 22). Manual dexterity and upper limb function were assessed using the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) for complex manual dexterity, the Coin Rotation Task (CRT) for finger coordination, and the Handgrip Test (HGT) for isometric strength. The study aimed to evaluate differences in motor performance associated with varying levels and types of physical activity, as well as to explore the applicability of the CRT as an assessment tool in this context.