title: Isokinetic strength profiles of thigh muscles of modern dancers in relation to their experience level.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine maximal voluntary peak torque (PT), PT% body weight (PT%BW), total work (TW), and hamstring/quadriceps ratio (HQR) for bilateral and unilateral thigh muscle strength during isokinetic muscle contractions in modern dancers in relation to their experience level.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two female dancers were divided into two groups: intermediate dancers (ID, n=11) and advanced dancers (AD, n=11). Strength tests were performed using the Biodex System-III Pro Multijoint System isokinetic dynamometer to determine three joint angular velocities (60, 180, 300°/s).
  
  
  RESULTS
  During extension, ADs exhibited higher ratios in the HQR (p=0.016) on right leg at 300°/s, IDs generated greater TW (p=0.042), and within groups, there was a significant left-to-right difference in the HQR at 300°/s for ADs (p=0.042). During flexion, within groups, the ADs exhibited significant differences between legs for both PT (p=0.026) and PT%BW (p=0.022) at 300°/s.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For both groups, the average HQR in all angular velocities was not within the recommended range, which is required to prevent injuries; at the same time, unilateral muscular imbalances existed. Lower extremities of ADs exhibited asymmetric strength patterns at a certain level. Further research should be done to confirm the findings of this pilot study.
authors.affiliation: Marmara Universitesi, Beden Egitimi ve Spor Yuksekokulu, Anadoluhisarı Yerleskesi, Cuma yolu cad., 34800 Beykoz, Istanbul, Turkey. Tel +90 216 308 56 61, fax +90 216 332 16 20. aniagopyan@marmara.edu.tr.
authors.forename: Ani
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agopyan
authors.forename: Demet
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tekin
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Unal
authors.forename: Hizir
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kurtel
authors.forename: Gullu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Turan
authors.forename: Ayrin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ersoz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003615:Dancing / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises / Q000379:methods; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013848:Thigh / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult