Investigation of the Relationship Between Isokinetic Knee Strength and Ultrasonographic Muscle Thickness in Young Male Soccer Players

Abstract

The aim of this study is assessment of correlation between isokinetic muscle strength and muscle thickness. 54 young male athletes (mean age: 18,296 ± 1,312 years, mean height 177,592 ± 5,063 cm; mean body weight 67,037 ± 6,564 kg) playing in the U17 and U19 age groups of a Turkish professional football 1st league team voluntarily participated in the study. Muscle thickness (rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, gluteus maximus) was measured using Real-time ultrasound (RTUS) imaging. Muscle strength (30°/s-1, 60°/s-1, 180°/s-1) was measured using Humac Norm/Cybex dynamometry. Statistically between isokinetic muscle strength and muscle thickness GMAX (mm) - 30°/s-1 Glut Con Torque (N.m-1), RF (mm) - 60°/s-1 Knee Con Torque (N.m-1), VI (mm) - 180°/s-1 Knee Con Torque (N.m-1), RF+VI (mm) - 60°/s-1 Knee Con Torque (N.m-1) values were significantly. In conclusion, this study showed significant and high correlations of quadriceps thickness measurements with muscle strength.