Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between individual differences in the rope-pulling static force（RPSF）and physical characteristics in adult Japanese men. One hundred and fifty three healthy and physically active men aged 20-68 years volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects pulled a 30-mm diameter rope by using both hands and applying their maximum effort. The static force was measured using a load-cell that was connected to the rope. The grip height（GH）was set to enable the subjects to easily pull the rope, and the rope was kept horizontal. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that body mass（BM）and lean body mass（LBM）were significant and substantial independent predictors of RPSF（P＜0.05）. Age was a significant and major independent predictor of the relative RPSF normalized by BM and that normalized by LBM（P in both cases was ＜0.05）, however, “stature” was not significant predictor of RPSF and relative RPSF. The results also suggested that muscle strength associated with the number of muscle fibers and/or the activity pattern would be also important determinants of RPSF because the contributions of age were found even in the relative RPSF.
