Effect of limb dominance on peak torque and angle of peak torque of hamstrings in recreational female football players

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate whether there is a significant difference between the peak torque and angle of peak torque of the hamstrings in a group of recreational female football players.

Methods: A convenience sample of 17 females aged 18-22 years from a university ladies football team. Peak torque and angle of peak torque of both hamstrings were measured using a Biodex system 2 isokinetic dynamometer in concentric and eccentric mode at an angular velocity of 60°/sec. The related t-test was used to test for significant differences between limbs.

Results: Muscle strength differences ranging between 0.9% - 38.3% (Concentric: 9.7±7.7; Eccentric: 15.4±9.3) were noted. However, no significant differences were found between the dominant and non dominant limb (peak torque concentric p=0.068, eccentric p= 0.063; angle of peak torque concentric p= 0.449, eccentric p=0.246).

Conclusions: In a group of recreational football players, limb dominance did not significantly affect peak torque or angle of peak torque at 60°/secs. However, noteworthy strength imbalances were observed in a number of participants, indicating that clinicians need to be cautious when using the uninjured limb as a baseline measure.

Implications: The findings highlight that caution may be exercised when using the peak torque and angle of peak torque of the contralateral limb as a target for rehabilitation.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Dinesh Samuel: orcid.org/0000-0003-3610-8032

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