Abstract
         
         This study aimed to examine longitudinal changes in isometric strength of the knee
            extensors (ImKE) and knee flexors (ImKF) at 30° and 60°. The sample was composed of
            67 players aged 11.0–13.9 years at baseline over five years. Stature, body mass, skinfolds,
            and isometric strength (ImKE30°, ImKF30°, ImKE60° and ImKF60°) were measured. Fat
            mass and fat-free mass (FFM) were derived from skinfolds. Skeletal age was obtained
            using TW2 RUS. Multilevel random effects regression analyses extracted developmental
            polynomial models. An annual increment on chronological age (CA) corresponded to 5.6 N
            (ImKE30°), 2.7 N (ImKF30°), 4.6 N (ImKE60°) and 1.5 N (ImKF60°). An increment of 1 kg in FFM predicted isometric strength as
            follows: 1.2 N (ImKE30°), 2.1 N (ImKF30°), 3.1 N (ImKE60°) and 2.0 N (ImKF60°). The
            following equations were obtained: ImKE30°=5.759×CA+1.163×FFM; ImKF30°=−19.369+2.691×CA+0.693×CA2+2.108×FFM; ImKE60°=4.553×CA+3.134×FFM; and, ImKF60°=-19.669+1.544×CA+2.033×FFM. Although
            skeletal maturity had a negligible effect on dependent variables, age and body size,
            based on FFM, were relevant longitudinal predictors. During adolescence, systematic
            assessment of knee extensors and knee flexors are strongly recommended to prevent
            impairment of knee muscle groups.
         
         Key words
multilevel modeling - growth - skeletal maturation - youth athletes