title: Isokinetic leg strength and power in elite handball players.
abstract: Isokinetic strength evaluation of the knee flexion and extension in concentric mode of contraction is an important part of the comprehensive evaluation of athletes. The aims of this study were to evaluate the isokinetic knee peak torque in both the extension and flexion movement in the dominant and non-dominant leg, and the relationship with jumping performance. Twelve elite male handball players from the top Spanish handball division voluntary participated in the study (age 27.68 ± 4.12 years; body mass 92.89 ± 12.34 kg; body height 1.90 ± 0.05 m). The knee extensor and flexor muscle peak torque of each leg were concentrically measured at 60º/s and 180º/s with an isokinetic dynamometer. The Squat Jump and Countermovement Jump were performed on a force platform to determine power and vertical jump height. Non-significant differences were observed between legs in the isokinetic knee extension (dominant= 2.91 ± 0.53 Nm/kg vs non-dominant = 2.70 ± 0.47 Nm/kg at 60º/s; dominant = 1.90 ± 0.31 Nm/kg vs non-dominant = 1.83 ± 0.29 Nm/kg at 180º/s) and flexion peak torques (dominant = 1.76 ± 0.29 Nm/kg vs non-dominant = 1.72 ± 0.39 Nm/kg at 60º/s; dominant = 1.30 ± 0.23 Nm/kg vs non-dominant = 1.27 ± 0.35 Nm/kg at 180º/s). Low and non-significant correlation coefficients were found between the isokinetic peak torques and vertical jumping performance (SJ = 31.21 ± 4.32 cm; CMJ = 35.89 ± 4.20 cm). Similar isokinetic strength was observed between the legs; therefore, no relationship was found between the isokinetic knee flexion and extension peak torques as well as vertical jumping performance in elite handball players.
authors.affiliation: Sport Training Lab. Faculty of Sport Sciences. University of Castilla La Mancha (Spain).
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: González-Ravé
authors.affiliation: Sport Training Lab. Faculty of Sport Sciences. University of Castilla La Mancha (Spain).
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Juárez
authors.affiliation: Athletic Training Lab. University of Castilla La Mancha (Spain).
authors.forename: Jacobo A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rubio-Arias
authors.affiliation: Sport Training Lab. Faculty of Sport Sciences. University of Castilla La Mancha (Spain).
authors.forename: Vicente J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Clemente-Suarez
authors.affiliation: Sport Training Lab. Faculty of Sport Sciences. University of Castilla La Mancha (Spain).
authors.forename: María A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Martinez-Valencia
authors.affiliation: Camilo José Cela University. Sport Science Institute, Madrid (Spain).
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abian-Vicen
keywords: handball; isokinetic; jumping; peak torque; power
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