A Comparison of Isokinetic Knee Strength and Power Output Ratios Between Female Basketball and Volleyball Players

• Main Authors: Kabaciński Jarosław, Murawa Michał, Fryzowicz Anna, Dworak Lechosław Bogdan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Termedia Publishing House 2017-09-01
• Series: Human Movement
• Subjects: muscle strength; power output; vertical jumps; basketball; volleyball
• Online Access: http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/humo.2017.18.issue-3/humo-2017-0022/humo-2017-0022.xml?format=INT

Purpose. Tests such as the counter movement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) allow for determining the ratio of maximal power output generated during SJ to CMJ (S/C). The isokinetic peak torque ratio of the hamstrings contracting eccentrically to the quadriceps contracting concentrically (H/Q) is defined as functional H/Q. The purpose of this study was to compare the S/C and functional H/Q between female basketball and volleyball players. Methods. The total of 14 female basketball players (age, 19.8 ± 1.4 years) and 12 female volleyball players (age, 22.3 ± 4.2 years) participated in the study. A piezoelectric force platform was used for the CMJ and SJ. Moreover, isokinetic tests of the hamstrings and quadriceps muscle torque during eccentric and concentric contraction were performed. Results. The results of the S/C and functional H/Q at 90 deg · s-1/60 deg · s-1 velocities were higher in basketball players (87.3 ± 9.1% and 91.4 ± 9.3%, respectively) than in volleyball players (83.1 ± 9.8% and 83.6 ± 16.5%, respectively). No significant differences in S/C or functional H/Q values between the two groups were found (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Decreasing the S/C may result from an improvement in the power output during CMJ and a better utilization of the stretch-shortening cycle effect. Balancing the functional H/Q through increasing the eccentric hamstrings strength can provide dynamic knee joint stabilization.