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Int J Sports Med 2016; 37(02): 119-124
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1559686
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Knee Extension Strength and Hamstrings-to-Quadriceps Imbalances in Elite Soccer Players

G. C. Bogdanis
1   School of P.E. and Sports Science, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
,
V. I. Kalapotharakos
2   School of P.E. and Sports Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 22 July 2015

Publication Date:
28 October 2015 (online)

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Abstract

This study examined the relationship between hamstrings-to-quadriceps strength ratio (H:Q) and relative strength of the knee extensors in elite soccer players. Peak torque was measured during isokinetic knee extension/flexion at angular velocities of 60°·s−1, 180°·s−1 and 300°·s−1. 18 professional players were divided into 2 groups, depending on their H:Q at 60°·s−1. Players in the lower H:Q group (n=7) had significantly smaller H:Q ratios compared with the higher H:Q group (n=11) at all angular velocities (60°·s−1: 49.2%; 95% CI: 61.3–57.8% vs. 59.5%; 95% CI: 52.2–46.2%, p=0.001). Players in the lower H:Q group had greater knee-extension peak torque compared with the higher H:Q group (60°·s−1: 313; 95% CI: 335–291 vs. 269; 95% CI: 289–250 N·m, p=0.01). No differences were found in hamstrings’ strength between the 2 groups (60°·s−1: 156; 95% CI: 170–143 vs. 160; 95% CI: 173–148 N·m, p=0.96). Negative correlations between knee extension peak torque and H:Q ratio were observed at all angular velocities (r=−0.65 to −0.67, p<0.01). In conclusion, a low H:Q strength ratio measured during isokinetic strength testing in professional soccer players, is observed mainly in those with strong quadriceps muscles, while players with lower quadriceps strength have H:Q ratios around the recommended values.

Key words

isokinetic dynamometry - hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio - peak torque
 

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