title: The angle-torque-relationship of the subtalar pronators and supinators in male athletes: A comparative study of soccer and handball players.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It is currently unclear how participation in different sports affects the angle-specific subtalar pronator and supinator muscle strength and pronator-to-supinator strength ratio (PSR).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Based on the hypothesis that both differences sport-related patterns of play and foot-ground interaction may lead to sport-specific muscle adaptations, this study compared the angle specific pronator and supinator strength capacity of handball and soccer players.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen healthy male handball and 19 soccer players performed maximum isometric voluntary isometric contractions using a custom-made testing apparatus. Peak pronator (PPT) and supinator torques (PST), pronator and supinator strength curves (normalised to the peak torque across all joint angles) and PSR were measured in five anatomical joint angles across the active subtalar range of motion (ROM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All analysed parameters were dependent on the subtalar joint angle. The ANOVA revealed significant `joint angle' × `group' interactions on PPT, pronator strength curves and PSR. No group differences were found for active subtalar ROM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In previously uninjured handball and soccer athletes, there were intrinsic differences in angle-specific subtalar pronator muscle strength. The lower PSR, which was found in the most supinated angle, can be seen as a risk factor for sustaining an ankle sprain.
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Sport and Movement Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hagen
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Sport and Movement Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Asholt
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Sport and Movement Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lemke
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lahner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D056352:Athletes; D005528:Foot; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011403:Pronation / Q000502:physiology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*; D013484:Supination / Q000502:physiology; D019415:Torque; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Ankle; muscle strength; pronation; strength ratio; subtalar joint angle; supination