Dynamic Characteristics of Lower Extremity of Greek Handball Players. Relationship between Isokinetic and Power Tests

Abstract

A total of 183 healthy male Greek team handball players (age 20 ± 3.6 years, height 182.5 ± 9.7 cm, body mass 84.7 ± 26.7 Kg) of the first division were tested for maximal (F_max) and explosive (F_exp) strength of the legs (isometric leg press at 90_o knee flexion), for maximal frequency of gyration on a stationary bicycle without external loading, as an expression of the maximal velocity of leg muscle contraction (fc_max) and for jumping ability (hsj, hcmj). They were also assessed for the peak torque of the knee extensors (Q₃₀ and Q₁₈₀) and flexors (H₃₀ and H₁₈₀) at angular velocities of 30 and 180 o/s, using a Cybex 340 isokinetic device. The hamstrings/quadriceps ratio (H/Q ratio) was also calculated. The F_max was 2.6 ± 0.6 bw, the F_exp was 1.6 ± 0.3 kp/ms, the fc_max 3.5 ± 0.2 c/s, the hsj 46.6 ± 0.4 cm and the hcmj 58.6 ± 6.6 cm. The results for the maximal isokinetic torque were for the knee extensors Q₃₀ = 3.6 ± 0.5 Nm/kg and Q₁₈₀ = 2.3 ± 0.3 Nm/kg and for the knee flexors H₃₀ = 1.9 ± 0.3 Nm/kg and H₁₈₀ = 1.4 ± 0.1 Nm/kg. The H/Q ratio was 56.3 ± 7.7 and 66.2 ± 9 for the angular velocity of 30 o/s and 180 o/s respectively. A correlation analysis revealed moderate correlation coefficients (r = 0.46 – 0.50) between the isokinetic and power tests parameters. The study establishes additional normative data on leg strength characteristics on elite male handball players.