The Eccentric/Concentric Ratio of Quadriceps Femoris in Sprinters and Normals

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Fairbanks, Rich^{a; *; **} | Lawler, Brian^{a; ***} | Malone, Terry R.^{a; ****}

Affiliations: [a] Duke University, Durham, NC

Note: [*] Sparrow Hospital, Lansing MI.

Note: [**] Address reprint requests to Rich Fairbanks, Sparrow Hospital, Lansing, MI.

Note: [***] Mission Memorial Hospital Asheville, NC.

Note: [****] Associate Professor and Director of Physical Therapy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.

Abstract: Eccentric muscle activation has been found to play an important role in athletic pursuits. Interest in the biomechanics of performance has led increasingly to the examination of muscle action. The concentric/ eccentric ratio of a muscle may be altered by activity, which led to our purpose of determining if the ratio of concentric to eccentric activation of the quadriceps femoris differs between sprint-type athletes and individuals of normal activity level. Eight sprinters and 10 normal individuals were evaluated on a KinCom dynamometer at 180 deg/sec in both concentric and eccentric maximal efforts. We found no significant difference in the concentric/eccentric ratio (0.78 sprinters versus 0.75 normals) of these two groups. Implications for the clinician and further research were discussed.

Keywords: Eccentric/concentric ratio, quadriceps femoris, isokinetics

DOI: 10.3233/IES-1994-4108

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 41-44, 1994