Quadriceps and Hamstrings Strength Differences Between High School and Masters Level Rowers PDF Download

Author: Sarah A. Brooker
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Hamstring muscle
Languages : en
Pages : 120

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Book Description
Abstract: PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of isokinetic strength differences between high school and masters level rowers. A secondary purpose was to determine the magnitude of isokinetic strength difference between male and female rowers. MATERIALS/METHODS: Thirteen volunteers between the ages of 15 and 54 who were members of a crew team (either high school or club) participated in this study. Subjects included both males and females and were obtained through convenience and snowball sampling methods. Inclusion criteria included: age of 60 years or younger, subjects must row 2 or more times per week during the in-season and must row 2 or more times per week or exercise at least 90 minutes per week during the off-season. Exclusion criteria included: lower extremity injury occurring within 6 months prior to data collection, lower extremity orthopedic surgery within a year prior to data collection or a serious medical condition that may place themselves or others at risk. Each subject completed a demographics/medical questionnaire and informed consent form. At the time of data collection, an investigator reviewed the forms to determine the subject's eligibility. Once cleared for participation, the subject's height, weight and blood pressure was measured. The subject completed a five-minute warm up on a cycle ergometer and stretches. The subject was then positioned on the isokinetic dynamometer and completed the testing protocol. Quadriceps and hamstrings peak torque and quadriceps/hamstring ratio was measured at angular velocities of 60, 180 and 240 degrees/second (deg/sec). Finally, the subject completed a cool down, which mimicked the warm up. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between male masters and high school subjects for hamstrings mean peak torque/body weight at 60 (t= -0.98, p=0.71), 180 (t=0.55, p=1.19) or 240 deg/sec (t=0.18, p=1.72), for quadriceps peak torque/body weight at 60 (t= -0.08, p=1.87), 180 (t=0.29, p=1.56) and 240 deg/sec (t=-0.05, p=1.92), or for quadriceps/hamstring ratio at 60 (t=0.64, p=1.08), 180 (t=1.28, p=0.47) and 240 deg/sec (t=1.06, p=0.64). Between male and female masters rowers, there was a significant difference found for hamstring mean peak torque/body weight at angular velocities of 180 (t=3.32, p=0.04) and 240 deg/sec (t=4.33, p=0.02). There was also a significant difference found for quadriceps mean peak torque/body weight at angular velocities of 180 (t=5.78, p=0.004) and 240 (t=4.82, p=O.OI) deg/sec. No significant difference was found at 60 deg/sec for either quadriceps (t=3.02, p=0.06) or hamstring (t= 2.03, p=0.20) peak torque/body weight. There was no significant difference found between male and female masters rowers for quadriceps/hamstrings ratio at 60 (t= 0.37, p=1.49), 180 (t=0.54, p=1.23) or 240 deg/sec (t=0.28, p=1.58). A post study power analysis indicated that only comparisons between males and females for quadriceps peak torque/body weight at all three speeds and hamstring peak torque/body weight at 180 and 240 degrees/sec achieved a power of 0.80 or higher. All other comparisons failed to reach a power of .80. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude of differences varied greatly between subjects. The results of this study are consistent with the literature regarding the strength differences among men and women. Due to the small sample size of participants (along with other limitations), further research is warranted to be able to generalize the results of this study to a larger population. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is important for physical therapists, athletic trainers, coaches and athletes to be aware of the physiological changes with occur with age and the possible effects related to function and performance.