Differences in muscle strength in dominant and non-dominant leg in females aged 20–39 years – A population-based study

Abstract

Objective In sports medicine, muscle strength and joint flexibility of the contralateral limb is used as a rehabilitation goal for the injured extremity. The present study was designed to determine whether side differences in hamstrings and quadriceps muscle strength, or in the ratio between hamstrings and quadriceps strength (H:Q), might be of clinical importance. Design Cross-sectional study in a randomly selected, population-based cohort. Setting University hospital in Uppsala. Quadriceps and hamstrings strength was assessed by maximum isokinetic concentric contractions at an angular velocity of 90°/s. Participants A sample of 159 randomly selected women from Uppsala county population registers, aged 20–39 years, was included in the study. Main outcome measures Peak isokinetic concentric torques of the quadriceps and hamstrings, and the corresponding H:Q ratios. Results In this cohort of non-athletes the muscle strength in the dominant leg was on average 8.6% ( p <0.001) weaker in the knee flexors, but 5.3% ( p = 0.009) stronger in the knee extensor as compared with the non-dominant leg. This gives an H:Q ratio in the dominant leg of 46% as compared with 53% ( p > 0.001) in the non-dominant leg. Conclusions Our study shows that in a population-based sample of women there is a significant asymmetry in leg muscle strength favouring non-dominant leg flexion and dominant leg extension. In this study the H:Q ratio was therefore substantially lower in the dominant leg. Whether this should influence rehabilitation goals must be further investigated.