title: Isokinetic strength during knee flexion and extension in elite fencers.
abstract: The relation of leg preference and muscular strength in elite fencers was examined. The dominant and nondominant extensor and flexor muscles of 30 elite fencers (M age = 18.2 yr., SD = 2.0 yr.; M height = 173 cm, SD=7.4 cm; M weight = 62.7 kg, SD=8.9 kg), who were members of the Greek national team, and 14 healthy, young, sedentary adults (8 men, 6 women; M age 23.4 yr., SD = 1.9; M height = 169 cm, SD = 10.5 cm; M weight = 66.3 kg, SD = 9.9) were tested for concentric isokinetic contraction at slow (30 to 60 degrees/sec.) and fast (240 degrees/sec.) angular velocities. Significant multivariate differences were found between groups for knee extension, angle of knee extension, knee flexion, and flexor/extensor peak torque ratio. In contrast, no significant difference was found between the dominant and nondominant legs. There was no significant difference in the flexor/extensor peak torque ratio among any of the concentric angular velocities tested. These findings suggest that long-term training in fencing influences the strength characteristics of the lower limbs.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Caring Professions, Technological Educational Institute of Lamia.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Poulis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chatzis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Christopoulou
authors.forename: Ch
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Tsolakis
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D054874:Athletic Performance; D003163:Competitive Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D016552:Ergometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*