Abstract

The purpose of this study was to 1) assess the knee angles of hamstring and quadriceps peak torques at slow (60) and moderate (180 deg/s) isokinetic velocities in healthy adult males and females, 2) determine if velocity has an effect on these peak torque angles, and 3) determine if subject's age, sex, and muscle strength have an effect on the results. The Cybex II dynamometer was used to record the measurements. At 60 deg/s, the mean peak torque for the hamstrings occurred at 33 degrees for men and 37 degrees for women. At 180 deg/s, the corresponding angles were 40 and 44 degrees. In both groups the increase was 7 degrees. At 60 deg/s, the peak torque angle of the quadriceps was 54 degrees in both groups. At 180 deg/s, the angle occurred significantly later in men (11 deg) and in women (10 deg). Subject's age (18 to 40 years) did not affect the results. In female hamstrings, the knee angle of peak torque had a highly significant negative correlation to muscle strength; that is, in female hamstrings, the peak torque angles occurred later in the range of motion when muscle strength decreased. This possibly explained the difference observed between men and women in the peak torque angles of hamstrings. Verf.-Referat (gekuerzt)