Dynamic Characteristics of Lower Extremity of Greek Male and Female Young Basketball players. Relationship Between Isokinetic and Power Tests

Abstract

A total of 90 healthy Greek young basketball players (age 17 years), particularly 56 male players (height 194.6 ± 7.1 cm, mass 84.8 ± 10.5; mean ± SD) and 34 female players (height 177.4 ± 6.3 cm, mass 68.2 ± 7.5; mean ± SD) members of the national team were tested for maximal (Fmax) and explosive (Fexp) strength of the legs (isometric leg press at 90o 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 (fcmax) and for jumping ability (hsj, hcmj). Also they were assessed for the peak torque of the knee extensors (Q30, Q60 and Q180) at angular velocities of 30, 60 and 180 o/s, using a Cybex 340 isokinetic device. The Q180/Q30 ratio of the quadriceps was also calculated. The Fmax was 2.4 ± 0.3 and 2.2 ± 0.4 bw, the Fexp was 1.5 ± 0.2 and 1.1 ± 0.2 kp/ms, the fcmax 3.5 ± 0.3 and 2.9 ± 0.3 c/s, the hsj 42.9 ± 4.2 and 36.0 cm and the hcmj 57.9 ± 6.8 and 45.3 ± 4.7 cm, respectively for male and female players. The results for the maximal isokinetic torque were for the knee extensors Q30 = 3.6 ± 0.5 and 3.3 ± 0.3 Nm/kg, Q60 = 3.2 ± 0.5 and 3.1 ± 0.3 Nm/kg and Q180 = 2.1 ± 0.3 and 1.9 ± 0.2 Nm/kg, respectively for male and female players. The Q180/Q30 ratio was 0.57 ± 0.05. A correlation analysis revealed moderate to high correlation coefficients (r = 0.24 – 0.68) between the isokinetic and power tests parameters. The study establishes additional normative data on leg strength characteristics on elite young basketball players.