title: Profile of isokinetic eccentric-to-concentric strength ratios of shoulder rotator muscles in elite female team handball players.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to establish the isokinetic profile of shoulder rotator muscles strength in female handball players. Twenty-seven handball players performed concentric and eccentric strength tests of both dominant and non-dominant upper limbs on an isokinetic dynamometer. Internal and external rotator muscles peak torque was assessed at 1.05, 3.14, and 5.23 rad . s(-1) in concentric mode and at 3.14 and 5.23 rad . s(-1) in eccentric mode. Concentric balance ratio and functional ratio were obtained. Bi-lateral deficiency was compared. Concentric strength for internal and external rotation was significantly greater for the dominant than for the non-dominant limb for all speeds (P < or = 0.0001). For eccentric actions, internal rotator muscles were stronger in the dominant than the non-dominant limb (P < or = 0.0001) at both speeds. Concentric balance and functional balance ratios did not differ between sides at 3.14 rad . s(-1) (P = 0.1631), but at 5.23 rad . s(-1) the functional balance ratio in the dominant limb was lower than for the non-dominant limb (P = 0.0500). Although the dominant side was stronger than the non-dominant side, balance concentric ratios remained the same, with only the functional strength ratio different at 5.23 rad . s(-1). Our results suggest that concentric strength exercises be used for internal and external rotators on the non-dominant side, and functional exercise that improves eccentric rotation strength for prevention programmes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Vila Clementino, Sao Paulo/SP, 04023-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marilia Dos Santos
authors.initials: Mdos S
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fleury
authors.forename: Claudio Andre Barbosia
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: de Lira
authors.forename: Joao Paulo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dubas
authors.forename: Antonio Carlos
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000502:physiology*; D012782:Shoulder / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult