Affiliations: [a] Institute of Exercise Physiology and Wellness, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA | [b] Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: David H. Fukuda, Institute of Exercise Physiology and Wellness, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32817, USA. Tel.: +1 407 823 0442; Fax: +1 407 823 3859; E-mail:[email protected]
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hamstring:quadriceps ratios (HQRs) have been studied as
potential markers for an athlete's risk of injury, but little is known
about how sport-specific experience affects HQRs. OBJECTIVE: This study compared isokinetic and isotonic strength
measures, including determining HQRs, between American collegiate male rugby
athletes with at least two years of experience (XP; n= 10) and those with
less than two years of experience (IN; n= 14). METHODS: Isokinetic concentric (ConH) and eccentric (EccH) hamstring and
concentric only quadriceps (ConQ) strength was measured at 60 and 180°/s. The
strength ratio: Hcon/Qcon (HQR), was calculated for both velocities,
HQR60, HQR180, while the strength ratio: Hecc/Qcon, the dynamic
control ratio (DCR), was likewise calculated, DCR60 and DCR180.
The isotonic strength was assessed via squat 1-repetition maximum. Analysis
of covariance was used to examine differences between IN and XP while body
weight and age served as the covariates. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted between groups in
isokinetic or isotonic strength. However, a significant difference was
observed in DCR60 (p = 0.047) between the two groups, with XP (0.94 ± 0.11) being greater than IN (0.81 ± 0.16). CONCLUSIONS: In view of the preliminary nature of this study, the
implication of this finding is yet obscure. However, given the role of the
DCR in an underlying proneness to injury, we suggest that a more
comprehensive study with a substantial follow-up period is undertaken for
uncovering the potential importance of this ratio vis-à-vis other major
functional parameters as well as injury prediction and assessment of
rehabilitation.
