COMPARISON OF MUSCLE LENGTH IN DOMINANT VERSUS NON-DOMINANT LOWER EXTREMITY IN YOUNG ASYMPTOMATIC INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

Muscle length is the length where maximum amount of force a muscle is able to produce. This length is determined by the joint angle that corresponds to the muscle. Understanding the optimal muscle length as well as its comparison between the extremities is very important as a part of examination in physiotherapy. Ranges that are obtained of muscle length helps therapist to recognize individuals with reduced flexibility. Identification and knowledge of muscle length has several role including; evaluation of pre-competition risk for injury, decreased flexibility as an predictor of muscle injury and guides in determining interventional strategy plus training program for an individual. Objectives: To compare muscle length of rectus femoris, hamstring’s, iliopsoas, gastrocnemius in dominant as well as non-dominant side of young asymptomatic individuals in the age group of 18 to 25 years. Method: Through standard goniometer muscle length data was obtained between dominant, non-dominant lower extremity. The methods of assessment used were; active knee extension (AKE) tests the hamstrings length, Thomas and modified Thomas test had been used to evaluate iliopsoas and rectus femoris while prone, figure-four position accompanied by dorsiflexion utilized for gastrocnemius. Result: Values were calculated using goniometric measurements through the group mean values. There is statistically significant variation between the muscle length of hamstring, rectus femoris, iliopsoas and gastrocnemius between the dominant and non-dominant side (p<0.05). Conclusion: Along with data about lower limb muscle length of asymptomatic individuals, we conclude notable difference in dominant to non-dominant extremities muscle length in individuals eighteen to twenty five year.