Int J Sports Med 2007; 28(11): 952-957
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-964981
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comparison of the Decrease in Strength between Hamstrings and Quadriceps during Isokinetic Fatigue Testing in Semiprofessional Soccer Players

S. Sangnier1 , C. Tourny-Chollet1
  • 1C.E.T.A.P.S. Laboratory UPRES EA 3832, University of Rouen, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Mont Saint Aignan, France
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision November 27, 2006

Publication Date:
11 May 2007 (online)

Abstract

An imbalance in the agonist/antagonist ratio has been identified as a pathologic factor. Using an isokinetic dynamometer, several studies have investigated the loss of quadriceps strength due to fatigue, but few have explored this phenomenon in the hamstrings. This study assessed the decline in strength of the hamstring and quadriceps muscles with fatigue. The goal was to determine whether a divergence in the decline in strength occurs that would affect the hamstring to quadriceps ratio of endurance. Twenty-seven professional soccer players were selected for endurance testing to evaluate fatigue on an isokinetic dynamometer. The decline in hamstring strength was significantly greater than that of the quadriceps after 15 repetitions for the dominant leg and after 40 repetitions for the nondominant leg. This study also revealed a decline in the endurance ratio compared with the maximal strength ratio in the dominant leg after 30 repetitions. In fatigue states, the decline in hamstring strength diverges from that of the quadriceps in both legs. This difference in resistance to fatigue provokes an imbalance that may affect the stabilizing function of the thigh muscles. These results can be considered as indicators of an increased risk of injury during exhausting effort.

References

  • 1 Bangsbo J. The physiology of soccer-with special reference to intense intermittent exercise.  Acta Physiol Scand Suppl . 1994;  619 1-155
  • 2 Barclay C J. Mechanical efficiency and fatigue of fast and slow muscles of the mouse.  J Physiol. 1996;  497 781-794
  • 3 Benjuya N, Plotqin D, Melzer I. Isokinetic profile of patient with anterior cruciate ligament tear.  Isokinet Exerc Sci. 2000;  8 229-232
  • 4 Bergh U. Maximal oxygen uptake and fiber types in trained and untrained humans.  Med Sci Sports. 1978;  10 151-154
  • 5 Chomiak J, Junge A, Peterson L, Dvorak J. Severe injuries in football players. Influencing factors.  Am J Sports Med. 2000;  28 (Suppl 5) S58-S68
  • 6 Clarkson P M, Kroll W, Melchionda A M. Isokinetic strength, endurance and fiber type composition in elite American paddlers.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1982;  48 67-76
  • 7 Croisier J L, Forthomme B, Namurois M H, Vanderthommen M, Crielaard J M. Hamstring muscle strain recurrence and strength performance disorders.  Am J Sports Med. 2002;  30 199-203
  • 8 Davis J M, Bailey S P. Possible mechanisms of central nervous system fatigue during exercise.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997;  29 45-57
  • 9 Dörge H C, Anderson T B, Sorensen H, Simonsen E B. Biomechanical differences in soccer kicking with the preferred and the non-preferred leg.  J Sports Sci. 2002;  20 293-299
  • 10 Garrett Jr W E, Califf J C, Bassett F H. Histochemical correlates of hamstring injuries.  Am J Sports Med. 1984;  12 98-103
  • 11 Gibson H, Edwards R H. Muscular exercise and fatigue.  Sports Med. 1985;  2 120-132
  • 12 Gross M T, McGrain P, Demilio N, Plyler L. Relationship between multiple predictor variables and normal knee torque production.  Phys Ther. 1989;  69 54-62
  • 13 Hamada T, Sale D G, MacDougall J D, Tarnopolsky M A. Interaction of fiber type, potentiation and fatigue in human knee extensor muscles.  Acta Physiol Scand. 2003;  78 165-173
  • 14 Hawkins R D, Hulse M A, Wilkinson C, Hodson A, Gibson M. The association football medical research programme: an audit of injuries in professional football.  Br J Sports Med. 2001;  35 43-47
  • 15 Higbie E J, Cureton K J, Warren I IIGL, Prior B M. Effects of concentric and eccentric training on muscle strength, cross-sectional area, and neural activation.  J Appl Physiol. 1996;  81 2173-2181
  • 16 Hunter G R, Newcomer B R, Larson-Meyer D E, Bamman M M, Weinsier R L. Muscle metabolic economy is inversely related to exercise intensity and type II myofiber distribution.  Muscle Nerve. 2001;  24 654-661
  • 17 Jacobs I. Sprint training effects on muscle myoglobin, enzymes, fiber types, and blood lactate.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1982;  19 368-374
  • 18 Kawabata Y, Senda M, Oka T, Yagata Y, Takahara Y, Nagashima H, Inoue H. Measurement of fatigue in knee flexor and extensor muscles.  Acta Med Okayma. 2000;  54 85-90
  • 19 Lacour J R, Padilla-Magunacelaya S, Chatard J C, Arsac L, Barthelemy J C. Assessment of running velocity at maximal oxygen uptake.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1991;  62 77-82
  • 20 Lees A, Davies T. The effects of fatigue on soccer kick kinematics (Annual conference of the British Association of Sports Sciences, Sept. 1987).  J Sports Sci. 1988;  6 156-157
  • 21 Léger L, Boucher R. An indirect continuous running multistage field test: The “Université de Monréal” track test.  Can J Appl Sports Sci. 1980;  5 77-84
  • 22 Leroy D, Polin D, Tourny-Chollet C, Weber J. Spatial and temporal gait variable difference between basketball, swimming and soccer players.  Int J Sports Med. 2000;  21 158-162
  • 23 McLean B D, Tumilty D. Left-right asymmetry in two types of soccer kick.  Br J Sports Med. 1993;  27 260-262
  • 24 Mohr M, Krustrup P, Bangsbo J. Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development fatigue.  J Sports Sci. 2003;  21 439-449
  • 25 Montbaerts E. De l'analyse du jeu à la formation du joueur. Actio (Eds) Joinville le Pont; 1991
  • 26 Noakes T D, Myburgh K H, Schall R. Peak treadmill running velocity during the VO2max test predicts running performance.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1990;  65 561-566
  • 27 Rahnama N, Reilly T, Lees A. Injury risk associated with playing action during competitive soccer.  Br J Sports Med. 2002;  36 354-359
  • 28 Reilly T. Energetics of high-intensity exercise (soccer) with particular reference to fatigue.  J Sports Sci. 1997;  15 257-263
  • 29 Strudwick A, Reilly T, Doran D. Anthropometric and fitness profiles of elite players in two football codes.  J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2002;  42 239-242
  • 30 Thortenssen A, Karlsson J. Fatiguability and fiber composition of human skeletal muscle.  Acta Physiol Scand. 1976;  98 318-322
  • 31 Tourny-Chollet C, Leroy D. Conventional vs. dynamic hamstring-quadriceps strength ratios: a comparison between players and sedentary subjects.  Isokinet Exerc Sci. 2002;  10 183-192
  • 32 Tourny-Chollet C, Biette N, Leroy D, Sangnier S, Hamel M, Bleuret Blanquart F. Analysis of the functional isokinetic ratios according to the position of the soccer player in the horizontal and the verticale plane.  J Hum Mov Stud. 2002;  43 387-402
  • 33 Westing S H, Seger J Y, Thorstensson A. Isoacceleration: a new concept of resistive exercise.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1991;  23 631-636
  • 34 Woods C, Hawkins R D, Maltby S. The football association medical research program: an audit of injuries in professional football- analysis of hamstring injuries.  Br J Sports Med. 2004;  38 36-41
  • 35 Wretling M L, Henriksson-Larsen K, Gerdle B. Inter-relationship between muscle morphology, mechanical output and electromyographic activity in untrained females.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 1997;  76 483-490

Dr. Sebastien Sangnier

University of Rouen Faculty of Sports Sciences
C.E.T.A.P.S. Laboratory

Bld Siegfried

76821 Mont Saint Aignan

France

Fax: + 33 2 32 10 77 93

Email: sangnier1@voila.fr