title: Muscular strength profile in Tunisian male national judo team.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  it is well established that muscle strength is a determinant factor in judo. However, little data are available for African athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to provide reference data of the muscular strength profile (MSP) for an African team, Tunisian judo team.
  
  
  METHODS
  the study was conducted among ten international judo athletes from Tunisia. To determine their MSP, we used an isokinetic dynamometer to assess Hamstrings, Quadriceps of both knees and external, internal rotators of both shoulders. The angular velocities of the assessments were; 90, 180, 240°/s for the knees and 60, 120°/s for the shoulders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MSP was determined based on two parameters; the maximum peak torque (PT) of each muscle and the ratio agonistic/antagonistic muscles (R). The knee extensors and flexors in the "supporting leg" had higher PT than in the "attacking leg"; respectively, 245N.m versus 237 (p<0.05) and 147 N.m versus 145 (p>0.05). R was normal for both legs. Furthermore, both rotators of the dominant shoulder had higher PT; 84 N.m versus 71 for the internal rotators (p<0.05) and 34,7 N.m versus 29,0 for the lateral rotators (p<0.05). Inversely, R was higher in the non-dominant side; 45% versus 35, p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the MSP of the selected elites Tunisian judo athletes was characterized by 3 major features; a strength of the quadriceps in the standing leg significantly higher than in the attacking leg, a normal muscular balance Hamstrings/quadriceps in both legs and a strength of the shoulder' rotators higher in the dominant side.
authors.affiliation: National Center of Sciences and Sports Medicine, Tunis, Tunisia ; Garhoud Hospital & Al Shabab Sport Club, Sports Medicine Clinic, Dubai UAE ; European College of Sports and Exercise Physicians ECOSEP.
authors.forename: Mourad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghrairi
authors.affiliation: National Center of Sciences and Sports Medicine, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Omar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hammouda
authors.affiliation: National Track and Field Center, Sports Injury Clinic, SEGAS, Thessaloniki, Greece ; European College of Sports and Exercise Physicians ECOSEP.
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Malliaropoulos
keywords: Judo; isokinetic; knee; muscular imbalance; shoulder