Normal isometric and isokinetic peak torques of hamstring and quadriceps muscles in young adult Saudi males

Abstract

Objectives: To provide reference data for peak isometric and isokinetic muscle strength of hamstring and quadriceps muscles in young adult Saudi males Methods: The strength of left and right quadriceps and hamstrings leg muscles was assessed in 132 college-male students in the campus of King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the year 2002 using a Cybex machine and a standardized protocol at the following velocities: 0, 60, 180, and 3000/sec. Isometric strength (DO/sec) was assessed at 65° angle of knee flexion. Results: Isometric flexion strength was 9.3% higher in the right leg compared to the left (p < 0.0 I), while there was no significant difference between the 2 legs in extension. In isokinetic strength, there was a decrease in both extension and flexion strength with increasing velocity. However, only in flexion strength a significant right-left difference was observed. Flexion/extension peak concentric torque ratio relative to angular velocity varied from 59.9-63.3% in the right leg and from 55.8-59.9% in the left leg, with significant difference (p < 0.02) between the 2 legs. In addition, the angle of peak: torque decreased with increasing velocity at knee extension but increased at knee flexion. Conclusion: Young Saudi males appeared to have similar isometric peak: strength in the knee extensors but not in the flexors when compared to previously published research. Isokinetic extension strength at 600/sec in the Saudi males is lower than values reported for untrained males elsewhere. Furthermore, the hamstrings/quadriceps ratio in Saudi males seems to be within the recommended range of appropriate muscle function.