Affiliations: [a] Sport Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Sport
Medicine & Biology of Exercise, Faculty of Physical Education & Sport
Science, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Abstract: The study examined the relationships among isokinetic, isometric and
dynamic measures of the elbow extensor (EE) and elbow flexor (EF) strength, in
junior throwing athletes. The isokinetic torque (T_{ISOK})
(90, 210, 300°/s) and the isometric torque (T_{ISOM})
(10, 40, 90°) of the EE and EF, and the maximum force
(Fz_{max}) during the push-up test were measured in tennis
(TP, n=7) and handball players (HP, n=8) (13 to 16 yrs). Statistics included 2
(Group) × 3 (Angular velocity or Joint angle) ANOVA for group differences
and the Pearson coefficient (r) for the relationships between strength
measures. Handball players developed higher T_{ISOK} and
T_{ISOM} (p < 0.05), however, when normalized to body
mass, differences were not always significant. Fz_{max} was
the same between groups (p > 0.05). The angle-specificity of
the strong relationships between T_{ISOK} and
T_{ISOM} (p< 0.05) reflected sport
specialization. All relationships between EE and EF were significant in TP
(p>0.05), whereas, T_{ISOK} and
T_{ISOM} relationships with Fz_{max}
were significant in HP (p < 0.05). In conclusion, athletic
specialization has an impact on the relationships between isokinetic, isometric
and dynamic measures of elbow strength in junior tennis and handball
players.
