Isokinetic profile of elbow flexion and extension strength in elite junior tennis players.
METHODS
Descriptive study.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether bilateral differences exist in concentric elbow flexion and extension strength in elite junior tennis players.


BACKGROUND
The repetitive nature of tennis frequently produces upper extremity overuse injuries. Prior research has identified tennis-specific strength adaptation in the dominant shoulder and distal upper extremity musculature of elite players. No previous study has addressed elbow flexion and extension strength.


METHODS
Thirty-eight elite junior tennis players were bilaterally tested for concentric elbow flexion and extension muscle performance on a Cybex 6000 isokinetic dynamometer at 90 degrees/s, 210 degrees/s, and 300 degrees/s. Repeated-measures ANOVAs were used to test for differences between extremities, muscle groups, and speed.


RESULTS
Significantly greater (P<0.002) dominant-arm elbow extension peak torque values were measured at 90 degrees/s, 210 degrees/s, and 300 degrees/s for males. Significantly greater (P<0.002) dominant-arm single-repetition work values were also measured at 90 degrees/s and 210 degrees/s for males. No significant difference was measured between extremities in elbow flexion muscular performance in males and for elbow flexion or extension peak torque and single-repetition work values in females. No significant difference between extremities was measured in elbow flexion/extension strength ratios in females and significant differences between extremities in this ratio were only present at 210 degrees/s in males (P<0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate muscular adaptations around the dominant elbow in male elite junior tennis players but not females. These data have ramifications for clinicians rehabilitating upper extremity injuries in patients from this population.
Ellenbecker
Todd S
TS
Physiotherapy Associates Scottsdale Sports Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85258, USA. todd.ellenbecker@physio.strykercorp.com
Roetert
E Paul
EP
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D013715:Tennis / Q000502:physiology*