Isokinetic Assessment and Musculoskeletal Complaints in Paralympic Athletes: A Longitudinal Study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess and monitor the peak torque of the knee extensor and flexor muscles in flexion and extension and the reports of musculoskeletal complaints in members of the main Brazilian Paralympic athletics team through 1 yr.


METHODS
Fourteen healthy athletes from both sexes were assessed three times in 1 yr. The volunteers were assessed for the presence of musculoskeletal complaints and muscle strength at three time points: (1) at the onset of the preparatory phase on December 2009, (2) at a follow-up assessment on June 2010, and (3) before actual competition on December 2010. The athletes' self-reported musculoskeletal complaints were assessed in structured interviews, and the muscle strength was assessed by means of isokinetic dynamometry.


RESULTS
The knee flexor and extensor muscle strength exhibited significant increase in both the right and left lower limbs at the second and third assessments compared with the first one (P < 0.05). Muscle imbalance was associated with knee and thigh complaints at all three assessments (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The knee flexor and extensor muscle strength exhibited a gradual increase in both lower limbs during the course of the three assessments. In parallel, muscle imbalance was associated with the occurrence of knee and thigh complaints.
From the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (Comitê Paraolímpico Brasileiro) (AS, CW, RP, RV, MTDM), Brasília, Distrito Federal; Center of Studies on Psychobiology and Exercise (Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício) (AS, ESA, VdAL, SAG, ST, MTDM), São Paulo, São Paulo; Federal University of São Carlos (Universidade Federal de São Carlos) (GZ, SMM), São Carlos, São Paulo; Federal University of São Paulo (Universidade Federal de São Paulo) (ESA, VdAL, CW, ST), São Paulo, São Paulo; and Federal University of Minas Gerais (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais) (AS, MTDM).
Andressa
A
Silva
Gisele
G
Zanca
Eduardo Silva
ES
Alves
Valdir de Aquino
Vde A
Lemos
Sebastião Augusto
SA
Gávea
Ciro
C
Winckler
Stela Márcia
SM
Mattiello
Ronnie
R
Peterson
Roberto
R
Vital
Sergio
S
Tufik
Marco Túlio
MT
De Mello
D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019415:Torque; D055815:Young Adult