C. Ruas

BACKGROUND: The isokinetic hamstrings to quadriceps (H:Q) dynamic control ratio (DCR) is frequently used to assess muscle imbalances and to screen for potential risks of knee injuries in sports. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between knee conventional ratio (CR) and DCR in elite soccer players and check for a possible relationship. A positive correlation would indicate that the CR could predict DCR. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen Brazilian elite soccer players (25.2 ± 5.3 yrs) performed maximal dominant and non-dominant knee concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) strength tests at 60 • /s on an isokinetic dynamometer in order to calculate CR and DCR. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation between ratios was found for the dominant and non-dominant knees (r = 0.54 and 0.62; p < 0.001 which translated into low R 2 values of 0.29 and 0.39, respectively. CONCLUSION: This suggests that the CR may not replace the DCR and is thus of a limited clinical value in assessing knee muscles imbalance. On the other hand, the paper presents for the first time a robust reference frame for the isokinetic strength and related ratios of the two major knee muscles in soccer players.

Previous investigators have proposed that knee strength, hamstrings to quadriceps and side-to-side asymmetries may vary according to soccer field positions. However, different results have been found in these variables, and a generalization of this topic could lead to data misinterpretation by coaches and soccer clubs. Thus, the aim of this study was to measure knee strength and asymmetry in soccer players across different field positions. One hundred and two male professional soccer players performed maximal concentric and eccentric isokinetic knee actions on the preferred and non-preferred legs at a velocity of 60°·s. Players were divided into their field positions for analysis: goalkeepers, side backs, central backs, central defender midfielders, central attacking midfielders, and forwards. Results demonstrated that only goalkeepers differed from most other field positions on players&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; characteristics, and concentric peak torque across muscles. Although all players presented functional ratios of the preferred (0.79 ± 0.14) and non-preferred (0.75 ± 0.13) legs below accepted normative values, there were no differences between positions for conventional or functional strength ratios or side-to-side asymmetry. The same comparisons were made only between field players, without inclusion of the goalkeepers, and no differences were found between positions. Therefore, the hamstrings to quadriceps and side-to-side asymmetries found here may reflect knee strength functional balance required for soccer skills performance and game demands across field positions. These results also suggest that isokinetic strength profiles should be considered differently in goalkeepers compared to other field positions due to their specific physiological and training characteristics.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The isokinetic hamstrings to quadriceps (H:Q) dynamic control ratio (DCR) is frequently used to assess muscle imbalances and to screen for potential risks of knee injuries in sports. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between knee conventional ratio (CR) and DCR in elite soccer players and check for a possible relationship. A positive correlation would indicate that the CR could predict DCR. METHODS: One hundred and thirteen Brazilian elite soccer players (25.2 ± 5.3 yrs) performed maximal dominant and non-dominant knee concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) strength tests at 60 • /s on an isokinetic dynamometer in order to calculate CR and DCR. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation between ratios was found for the dominant and non-dominant knees (r = 0.54 and 0.62; p &amp;amp;lt; 0.001 which translated into low R 2 values of 0.29 and 0.39, respectively. CONCLUSION: This suggests that the CR may not replace the DCR and is thus of a limited clinical value in assessing knee muscles imbalance. On the other hand, the paper presents for the first time a robust reference frame for the isokinetic strength and related ratios of the two major knee muscles in soccer players. Keywords: Knee imbalance, torque ratios, injury prevention, assessment accessibility