Affiliations: [a] Medical Clinic and Policlinic, Department of
Sportsmedicine, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
Note: [] Medical Clinic and Policlinic, Department of Sportsmedicine,
University of Tübingen, Hölderlinstr. 11, D-72074 Tübingen, Germany.
Tel.: +49 7071 29 8 64 93; Fax: +49 7071 29 51 62
Abstract: Men and women differ in strength according to the muscle mass of
knee extensors and flexors. Side differences between left and right are
frequently reported. We measured isokinetic strength and balance performance in
7 men and 8 women and calculated side differences before and after 6 weeks of
balance training conducted twice a week for 25 min. Before training, extension
and flexion strengths were 70% training gain was 12% in men and 11% flexors
were reduced to 1.0 and 0.8% respectively. All participants improved balance
performance in one leg standing time. Men and women with comparable
anthropometric data and level of physical activity improved strength by balance
training without strength training. This study also underscores importance of
balance training as a preventive measure especially in old age.
Keywords: balance training, knee flexors, knee extensors, side difference
