The Hamstring/Quadriceps Ratio in Young Men and Its Relationship with the Functional Symmetry of the Lower Limb in Young Men

Piotr Tabor,Dagmara Iwańska,Anna Mazurkiewicz,Andrzej Mastalerz,Czesław Urbanik

doi:10.3390/sym13112033

Piotr Tabor, Dagmara Iwańska + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/sym13112033

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Abstract

The relationship of muscle strength symmetry with the symmetry of dynamic activities such as vertical jump (CMJ) and with symmetry of ranges of motion is ambiguous. Therefore, the aim of the current investigation was to assess the relationship between the flexor/extensor strength ratio and the range of motion of the knee joints and VGRF during jump in a sample of young healthy men. The sample consisted of 64 healthy, active men. The flexor and extensor torques and ranges of active and passive mobility of both knee joints were measured. Vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) was measured using two platforms. There were no significant correlations between the symmetry of muscle strength and the symmetry of ranges of motion and the symmetry of the VGRF. Therefore, using the cluster analysis, 4 subgroups were distinguished due to the size of the flexor/extensor ratio (H/Q ratio). Significant differences were found in the level of strength of the knee flexors between the clusters. Detailed analysis of muscle strength symmetry and VGRF symmetry seem to confirm the Leading Joint Hypothesis theory of motion control in multi-joint systems. It was found that the process of controlling movement by the nervous system compensates for the small asymmetries in the level of muscle strength in the knee flexors and extensors, as well as small asymmetries of VGRF.

Highlights

The aim of the current investigation was to assess the relationship between the flexor/extensor strength ratio and the range of motion of the knee joints and Vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) during jump in a sample of young healthy men
In the case of flexor strength (Tflex) there was a statistical trend of differences (p = 0.0529)
According to the authors, the reasons for the lack of relationship between the different types of symmetry should be attributed to the compensatory mechanisms that occur during motion control in dynamic movements such as CMJ jump

Summary

Introduction

In the assessment of muscle strength, the term symmetry refers to the difference between right and left limbs and to the ratio of agonistic to antagonistic muscle strength of the same limb [1]. The ratio of the strength of the muscles acting antagonistically on a given joint determines its stability. Baratta et al [2] identified the importance of the antagonist coactivation pattern as necessary to support ligaments in maintaining joint stability, equalizing joint surface pressure distribution, and regulating mechanical resistance of the joint. The assessment of the proportion of antagonistic muscles has a high diagnostic value and can be a suitable tool to monitor the rehabilitation and training process [3,4,5]

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