Note: [*] Department of Physiotherapy, National Orthopaedic Center, Sophies Minde Orthopaedic Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway.
Note: [**] Address reprint requests to Inger Holm, Biomechanics Laboratory, National Orthopaedic Center, Sophies Minde Orthopaedic Hospital, Trondheimsveien 132, Oslo, Norway.
Note: [***] Biomechanics Laboratory, National Orthopaedic Center, Sophies Minde Orthopaedic Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway.
Note: [****] Biomechanics Laboratory, National Orthopaedic Center, Sophies Minde Orthopaedic Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway.
Abstract: The present study was conducted to determine and correlate the various hamstrings/quadriceps (HQ) ratios given in knee testing by use of the numeric reports of modern computerized isokinetic equipment. The HQ ratios are based on the following parameters: peak torque, total work, and average power. Fifty-three sport students with an activity level of three training sessions a week were tested 8 weeks apart by five repetitions of 60 deg/sec and 30 repetitions of 240 deg/sec. The test-retest correlation ranged from 0.60 to 0.83 and showed a relatively strong association between the two tests for all HQ ratio parameters at either side and for both speeds. On the nondominant side the difference between test and retest ratio values was significant at both speeds for all but one parameter. The reason was shown to be a selective improvement of the hamstring muscles. Reliability measured as the average coefficient of variation was found to be 6.0% for all ratio parameters. This indicates that for a group of 53 subjects and for an individual test, a minimum change in the HQ ratios of at least 2.3 and 16.6%, respectively, must occur to be statistically significant within 95% confidence limits.
Keywords: Knee muscles, ratios in isokinetics, reproducibility
