TY - JOUR
T1 - Sex-related differences in joint-angle-specific functional hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratios
AU - El-Ashker, Said
AU - Carson, Brian P.
AU - Ayala, Francisco
AU - De Ste Croix, Mark
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015, European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery, Arthroscopy (ESSKA).
PY - 2017/3/1
Y1 - 2017/3/1
N2 - Purpose: To examine and compare sex-related differences in the functioning of the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles and the isokinetic hamstrings eccentric-to-quadriceps concentric functional ratio (H/QFUNC). Methods: Fifty male and 46 female young adults completed this study. Each participant carried out an isokinetic assessment to determine isokinetic concentric and eccentric torques during knee extension and flexion actions at 3 different angular velocities (60, 180 and 300°/s) adopting a lying position. The H/QFUNC was calculated using peak torque (PT) values and 3 different joint-angle-specific torque values (15°, 30° and 45° of knee extension). A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the results, and post hoc analyses using Friedman correction were employed. Results: There were statistically significant effects of angular velocity, joint angle and sex on the H/QFUNC (p < 0.01). Thus, the H/QFUNC ratio in both males and females decreases closer to full knee extension and with increasing movement velocity. The H/QFUNC was also significantly lower in females compared to males, irrespective of moment velocity and joint angle. Conclusions: The findings of the current study reinforce the need to examine the H/QFUNC ratio closer to full knee extension (where knee injury is most likely to occur) rather than using PT values which may not be as informative, as well as to focus preventive and rehabilitation training programmes on reducing quadriceps dominance by enhancing eccentric hamstring strength (especially in females who are at higher risk of injury). Level of evidence: III.
AB - Purpose: To examine and compare sex-related differences in the functioning of the hamstrings and quadriceps muscles and the isokinetic hamstrings eccentric-to-quadriceps concentric functional ratio (H/QFUNC). Methods: Fifty male and 46 female young adults completed this study. Each participant carried out an isokinetic assessment to determine isokinetic concentric and eccentric torques during knee extension and flexion actions at 3 different angular velocities (60, 180 and 300°/s) adopting a lying position. The H/QFUNC was calculated using peak torque (PT) values and 3 different joint-angle-specific torque values (15°, 30° and 45° of knee extension). A repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the results, and post hoc analyses using Friedman correction were employed. Results: There were statistically significant effects of angular velocity, joint angle and sex on the H/QFUNC (p < 0.01). Thus, the H/QFUNC ratio in both males and females decreases closer to full knee extension and with increasing movement velocity. The H/QFUNC was also significantly lower in females compared to males, irrespective of moment velocity and joint angle. Conclusions: The findings of the current study reinforce the need to examine the H/QFUNC ratio closer to full knee extension (where knee injury is most likely to occur) rather than using PT values which may not be as informative, as well as to focus preventive and rehabilitation training programmes on reducing quadriceps dominance by enhancing eccentric hamstring strength (especially in females who are at higher risk of injury). Level of evidence: III.
KW - Anterior cruciate ligament
KW - Injury prevention
KW - Isokinetic
KW - Strength
KW - Torque
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84936802429&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00167-015-3684-7
DO - 10.1007/s00167-015-3684-7
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84936802429
SN - 0942-2056
VL - 25
SP - 949
EP - 957
JO - Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
JF - Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
IS - 3
ER -