Improving the Hamstrings-to-Quadriceps Strength Ratio in Sedentary Women: Comparison of Stabilization Training and Aerobic Training After a 6-Months Follow-up

Abstract

Öz AbstractObjective: The goals of this study were to investigate and compare the effects of aerobic and spinal stabilization training on the knee muscle hamstring-to-quadriceps (H/Q) ratio in adult women. Methods: Seventy of 85 women who applied to the fitness center were randomly assigned to spinal stabilization or aerobic training groups (1, 2). Twenty-one women out of 35 sedentary women from the university who had not participated to any sport or exercise program were followed as controls. The training programs were conducted for 3 days/week for six months. All subjects were assessed before training, at the 3rd, and 6th month of training. Assessments were performed with the Isomed 2000 isokinetic system (D&R Ferstl GmbH, Hemau, Germany). The peak torque and total work of H/Q ratios were calculated. Repeated measures and the "as treated" protocol (spinal stabilization (n=28), aerobic training (n=23)) were used for the analysis. Results: The hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio of peak torques on the dominant side increased between pre-training (0.732±0.12) and the 6th month of training (0.847±0.11) in the aerobic training group (F=6.08; p=0.03). The H/Q ratio of the total work increased on the dominant side in the stabilization training group between pre-training (0.773±0.15) and the 3rd month (0.855±0.12), (F=6.402; p=0.002) of training. It increased pre-training (0.707±0.17) and in the 6th month of training (0.777±0.13) in aerobic training group. Conclusion: Both aerobic and stabilization trainings improved the total work of the H/Q ratio. Stabilization training could be recommended for prompt improvement of the H/Q ratio for sedentary women.

Effectiveness of Structured Exercise Protocol on Muscle Imbalance of Quadriceps and Hamstrings in Postmenopausal Obese Women

“…Evidence suggests that Higher development of the quadriceps will lead to the force of hamstrings causing muscles to imbalance. By giving the exercise protocol, the hamstrings to quadriceps ratio increased 8 . Accumulation of the fat in the body causes the restriction of activities which ultimately decreases the capacity to work 9 .…”