Abstract

Isokinetic assessment of elite squash, tennis and track athletes confirms the accepted ratio of 60 to 80 percent hamstring to quadriceps when testing at 90 deg/sec for peak strength (torque). However, significant variations occur at higher test speeds up to 300 deg/sec with the hamstrings becoming more prominent especially in the nonprefered (NP) leg. There was no significant difference between sports, and wide individual differences occured. Analysis of (work/sec/kg body weight) power showed a significantly higher work output by track athletes than squash and tennis players but, unlike hamstring/quadriceps ratio, no significant difference between prefered (P) and nonprefered leg. The maximum power output was achieved around 220 to 250 deg/sec. Power between prefered and nonprefered legs was the same but the torque ratio differed indicating that the hamstrings provided proportionately more work in the NP leg at higher speeds. Verf.-Referat