Hip joint isokinetic muscle strength profiles of elite middle distance runners: a pilot study

Abstract

The running performance and strength is important for many runners. This study aimed to examine hip joint isokinetic strength profiles of elite middle-distance runners. Nine elite middle-distance runners volunteered to participate in this study. Hip joint isokinetic muscle strength was measured using by an isokinetic dynameters. Participants performed isokinetic tests on dominant and non-dominant legs at a speed of 60°-s-1 for 10 repetitions. Isokinetic tests were conducted to flexion/extension, abduction/adduction and internal/external rotation movements of hip at concentric/concentric mode. There was no significant difference between dominant and non-dominant legs in peak torque and relative peak torque values. When the hip flexors were evaluated bilaterally, it was determined that the non-dominant side produced higher torque than the dominant side. However, in all other movements, the dominant side had higher torque values than the non-dominant side. As a result; on evaluated all joint movements bilaterally, hip flexor/extensor and adductor muscles were in normal values. However, hip abductor and internal/external rotator muscles values were in a risky range.