Comparison of different hamstrings training effect on hamstrings:quadriceps strength ratios / 体力科学

Hamstring muscles form a multi-articular muscle group that crosses the hip and knee joints. It has been said that the imbalance in the hamstrings:quadriceps strength ratio (H:Q ratio) due to weaker hamstring muscles results in an increased susceptibility to hamstring strains and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Four different hamstrings trainings, Hip Lift (HL), Single-leg Deadlift (DL), Leg Curl (LC), and Nordic Hamstrings (NH), were conducted and compared in the effect on conventional H:Q ratio. After the training of two months, significant increase of hip extension torque and H:Q ratios in the hip joint were found in the DL group, and significant increase of knee flexion torque and H:Q ratios in the knee joint were found in the LC group (<i>P</i> < 0.05). As a conclusion, DL and LC training could be practical for hamstrings injury prevention.

The effects of knee extensor eccentric training on functional tests in healthy subjects / Os efeitos do treino isocinético excêntrico dos extensores do joelho nos testes funcionais em sujeitos saudáveis

BACKGROUND: It is well known that eccentric training increases muscle strength and promotes greater neural activation, and therefore has been used in the recovery of knee extensors. The hypothesis of this study was that there would be a strong correlation between knee extensor torque and functional tests. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between knee extensor peak torque and functional tests of agility (runs) and propulsion (hop for distance) after short-term isokinetic eccentric training. METHODS: Twenty healthy and active male undergraduate students (age 22.5±2.1 years; height 1.72±0.10 m; weight 67.8±9.5 kg; body mass index: 22.5±2.0 kg/m²), with no abnormalities or history of injury of the limbs, performed an isokinetic assessment of the knee extensors and flexors and also functional tests before and after isokinetic training, which consisted of 3 sets of 10 MVECs at 30º/s, with 3 minutes of rest between sets, twice a week for 6 weeks. RESULTS: The eccentric training increased the extensor peak torque (16, 27 and 17 percent; P<0.01) and decreased the H/Q ratio (10, 20 and 13 percent; P<0.01) for the isometric and eccentric modes at 30°/s and 120°/s, respectively. It also decreased the time in two of the five agility tests (carioca and pivot diagonal; P<0.01), and increased the distance in the hop tests, for both dominant and non-dominant limbs (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although the eccentric training led to an increase in extensor peak torques as well as an improvement in most of the functional tests, the hypothesis that a strong correlation would be observed between peak torques and functional tests was not confirmed. Article registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) under the number 12607000590460.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: Sabe-se que o treino excêntrico aumenta a força muscular, promovendo uma maior ativação neural e, portanto, tem sido usado na recuperação do torque extensor. A hipótese deste estudo foi a de que possa existir uma forte correlação entre o torque extensor do joelho e os testes funcionais. OBJETIVOS: Correlacionar o torque extensor do joelho com os testes funcionais de agilidade (corridas) e impulsão (saltos em distância) após o treino isocinético excêntrico de curta duração. MÉTODOS: Vinte homens universitários, ativos e saudáveis (22,5±2,1 anos; 1,72±0,10 m; 67,8±9,5 kg; IMC 22,5±2,0 kg/m²), sem reportar anormalidades ou história de lesão no membro inferior, realizaram avaliação isocinética do torque extensor e flexor do joelho e testes funcionais antes e depois do treino isocinético que consistiu em três séries de 10 CEVM a 30º/s, com 3 minutos de repouso entre as séries, realizado duas vezes por semana, durante seis semanas. RESULTADOS: O torque extensor aumentou (16, 27 e 17 por cento; P<0,01), a razão I/Q diminuiu (10, 20 e 13 por cento; p<0,01) para os modos: isométrico e excêntrico a 30°/s e 120°/s, respectivamente; diminuiu o tempo em dois dos cinco testes de corridas (carioca e pivô diagonal; P<0,01) e aumentou a distância nos testes de saltos tanto para o membro dominante quanto para o não dominante (P<0,01). CONCLUSÕES: Embora o treino excêntrico tenha aumentado o torque dos extensores do joelho, bem como melhorado a maioria dos testes funcionais, a hipótese de uma forte correlação entre essas variáveis não se confirmou. Artigo registrado no Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) sob o número 12607000590460.

Isometric and isokinetic torque curves at the knee joint

Isometric and isokinetic torques of bilateral quadriceps and hamstrings were measured with Isokinetic Rehabilitation and Testing System (Model No. Cybex 340) on 40 normal untrained subjects, 20 males and 20 females, ranging between the ages of 23 and 35 years. The mean peak isometric and isokinetic torque values of both muscle groups showed no significant differences between dominant (right) and nondominant (left) limbs in both sexes; however there were significant differences between the male and the female. As the angular velocity increased, the peak torque significantly decreased, and the point of peak torque output occurred significantly later in the range of motion for quadriceps and hamstrings (p less than 0.01). There were no significant changes in the hamstrings to quadriceps (H/Q) ratios as the angular velocity increased. However, there were significant differences of mean H/Q ratio between male and female (p less than 0.01). Height had significant positive correlation with peak isometric and isokinetic torques for both quadriceps and hamstrings (p less than 0.01). Weight was found to correlate significantly with peak isometric and isokinetic torques (p less than 0.01). The mean isometric torques were significantly higher than the mean isokinetic torques for any joint angles in both sexes (p less than .01).