EVIDENCE FOR ISOKINETIC KNEE TORQUE ASYMMETRIES IN MALE LONG DISTANCE-TRAINED RUNNERS.
OBJECTIVE
Strength asymmetries are related to knee injuries and such injuries are frequently observed among runners. The purpose of this study was to examine whether long-distance runners have symmetric performance during knee isokinetic testing at two angular velocities.


METHODS
Twenty-three healthy and well-trained male long-distance runners performed open-chain isokinetic trials for assessment of concentric quadriceps and hamstrings contractions at velocities of 60 °·s(-1) and 240 °·s(-1). Data were compared between the lower limbs at different velocities.


RESULTS
Peak torque and total work were similar between the limbs. Asymmetry was observed for knee flexor power at 240 °·s(-1) (237 ± 45 W and 205 ± 53 W, in the preferred and non-preferred limb, respectively). Asymmetry indexes for flexor power were different between the velocities tested (13.1% and 2.21% for 240 °·s(-1) and 60 °·s(-1), respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
A limb asymmetry was observed among runners for knee flexor power, mainly at higher angular velocities (240 °·s(-1)). In addition, H/Q ratios were observed to be contraction velocity dependent.


METHODS
3.
Rodolfo A
RA
Dellagrana
Laboratory of Biomechanics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
Fernando
F
Diefenthaeler
Laboratory of Neuromechanics, Federal University of Pampa, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
Felipe P
FP
Carpes
Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Sara G
SG
Hernandez
Department of Physical Education, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Wagner
W
de Campos
Concentric isokinetics; dynamometer; flexor to extensor torque ratio; peak torque