Maximal isokinetic elbow and knee flexor–extensor strength measures in combat sports athletes: the role of movement velocity and limb side

Abstract

Background Maximal isokinetic strength ratios of joint flexors and extensors are important parameters to indicate the level of muscular balance at the joint. Further, in combat sports athletes, upper and lower limb muscle strength is affected by the type of sport. Thus, this study aimed to examine the differences in maximal isokinetic strength of the flexors and extensors and the corresponding flexor–extensor strength ratios of the elbows and knees in combat sports athletes. Method Forty male participants (age = 22.3 ± 2.5 years) from four different combat sports (amateur boxing, taekwondo, karate, and judo; n = 10 per sport) were tested for eccentric peak torque of the elbow/knee flexors (EF/KF) and concentric peak torque of the elbow/knee extensors (EE/KE) at three different angular velocities (60, 120, and 180°/s) on the dominant and non-dominant side using an isokinetic device. Results Analyses revealed significant, large-sized group × velocity × limb interactions for EF, EE, and EF–EE ratio, KF, KE, and KF–KE ratio (p ≤ 0.03; 0.91 ≤ d ≤ 1.75). Post-hoc analyses indicated that amateur boxers displayed the largest EE strength values on the non-dominant side at ≤ 120°/s and the dominant side at ≥ 120°/s (p < 0.03; 1.21 ≤ d ≤ 1.59). The largest EF–EE strength ratios were observed on amateur boxers’ and judokas’ non-dominant side at ≥ 120°/s (p < 0.04; 1.36 ≤ d ≤ 2.44). Further, we found lower KF–KE strength measures in karate (p < 0.04; 1.12 ≤ d ≤ 6.22) and judo athletes (p ≤ 0.03; 1.60 ≤ d ≤ 5.31) particularly on the non-dominant side. Conclusions The present findings indicated combat sport-specific differences in maximal isokinetic strength measures of EF, EE, KF, and KE particularly in favor of amateur boxers on the non-dominant side. Trial registration: This study does not report results related to health care interventions using human participants and therefore it was not prospectively registered.

The investigation of isokinetic knee strength and muscle balance of taekwondo and wrestling athletes

“…In addition, the statistical difference between H/Q ratios (p<0.05) shows that taekwondo athletes have lower H/Q strength ratios. In previous isokinetic studies, it was determined that the knee isokinetic strength of taekwondo (Choi et al, 2021;El-Ashker et al, 2022;Hammami et al, 2013;Harbili et al, 2022;Kang et al, 2021) and wrestling (Çimen Polat et al, 2018;Drid et al, 2009;Hoseini et al, 2022;Kraemer et al, 2001;Tatlici, 2021;Tatlici et al, 2021) athletes supported our research results. This result may be due to the fact that taekwondo explosively trains roundhouse and rotating kicks that require lower extremity FLX and EXT strength.…”

Examination of Quadriceps and Hamstring Force Performances of Taekwondo Athletes: A Meta Analysis Study

“…dışında tüm araştırmacıların EKS ve FLK evresinde konsantrik protokol tercih ettikleri anlaşılmıştır. 26 Ayrıca, hareket ağırlığı (HA) hakkında bilgi veren araştırmacıların farklı tekrar sayısı ve hareket açıklığı tercih ettikleri belirlendi.…”

“…plasebonun (Pls) araştırma-larına dayanarak, erkek sporcuların 60˚/sn açısal hızdaki ortalama diz EKS zirve tork değerleri tespit edildi (Şekil 3). 17,[22][23][24]26,27 60˚/sn açısal hızda kadın taekwondo sporcularının B-FLK zirve tork değerlerinin 80,32±3,73 (Nm), BO-FLK değerlerinin ise 74,29±4,06 (Nm) olduğu tespit edildi (Şekil 3). [28][29][30] Ayrıca yapılan incelemede sporcuların B-FLK ve BO-FLK zirve tork değerleri arasındaki farkın %8,12 olduğu tespit edildi.…”

“…ve El-Ashker ve ark.nın çalışmaları incelendi (Tablo 3). 17,26 Yapılan incelemede sporcuların ortalama yaşlarının 22,21±1,56 yıl olduğu tespit edildi. El-Ashker ve ark.…”

“…FLK ölçümlerinde eksantrik protokol kullanmışlardır. 26 Bu sebeple Hammami ve ark. ve El-Ashker ve ark.nın çalışmaları ortalama FLK değerlerinin tespitinde ayrı ayrı değerlendirildi.…”