ISOKINETIC PERFORMANCE IN ELITE VOLLEYBALL AND BASKETBALL PLAYERS

The aim of this study was to determine and compare the maximal voluntary peak torque of the hamstring and quadriceps muscles, and the torque ratio between these muscles in volleyball and basketball players across a spectrum of speeds in their dominant legs. Twenty male volleyball players, 20 male basketball players, and 20 controls were evaluated using an isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 60 degrees, 180 degrees and 300 degrees s(-1). No significant quadriceps and hamstring muscles concentric peak torque was found between volleyball and basketball players with the exception of quadriceps at 300 degrees s(-1) (volleyball: 139.9+/-0.7 Nm, basketball: 117.2+/-1.9 Nm). The mean hamstring/quadriceps muscles (H/Q) ratios at 60 degrees s(-1) were similar to each other. No significant differences were found between volleyball and basketball players for H/Q muscles ratio at 180 degrees s(-1). Volleyball players demonstrated higher differences compared to the basketball players and control groups only at 300 degrees s(-1)(p=.001 and p=.000, respectively). Our data suggest that the sport's demands seem to influence isokinetic concentric H/Q ratio.