Isokinetic Hamstring-to-Quadricep Ratios in Division II Collegiate Female Athletes
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Presenter(s)
Lillian Brinkman
Abstract
A study assessing lower body muscular strength values of WSU female athletes.
PURPOSE: Females are 4-6 times more likely to sustain an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear than males; however, only 12-19% of sports science publications contain female participants. Discrepancies in lower extremity muscular strength are a potential risk factor. A hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio (HQR) of less than 0.60 (60%) has been identified as a risk factor for greater ACL tension when landing. The purpose of this study was to first collect normative data on HQR in Division II collegiate female athletes via isokinetic strength testing. Secondly, this study compared HQR values between sports. It was hypothesized the mean HQR of each sport would be below the 0.60 (60%) threshold, indicating most female athletes may be at a greater risk for ACL injury. METHODS: Sixty-four NCAA DII female athletes completed lower extremity knee isokinetic flexion-extension testing at a velocity of sixty degrees per second. Metrics analyzed include quadricep peak torque, hamstring peak torque, and HQR. Descriptive statistics for each group were calculated. HQR values were compared via a nonparametric Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis h-test. Significance was denoted with a p-value of p< 0.05. RESULTS: Statistically significant right leg HQR team comparisons include Soccer (51.24±1.32) greater than Volleyball (45.97±1.69) (p = 0.0097), Soccer (51.24±1.32) greater than Tennis (41.47±3.23) (p=0.0181), Basketball (52.13± 1.04) greater than Volleyball (45.97±1.69) (p=0.0105), and Basketball (52.13± 1.04) greater than Tennis (41.47±3.23) (p=0.0097). Statistically significant left leg HQR comparisons include Basketball (54.26±1.24) greater than Cross Country (45.70±3.84) (p=0.0385), Basketball (54.26±1.24) greater than Soccer (49.64±1.57) (p=0.0441), and Basketball (54.26±1.24) greater than Volleyball (46.70 ± 2.01) (p=0.0017). CONCLUSION: All teams had a mean HQR below the 0.60 threshold, indicating the female athletes in this study may be at risk for greater ACL tension when landing. Statistically significant differences in HQR were found between four teams on the right leg and three teams on the left leg. These differences in HQR may be due to differences in sport demands. Strengthening the hamstring muscles to improve HQR values is recommended for all teams.
College
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Department
Health, Exercise & Rehabilitative Sciences
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Becky Heinert
Second Advisor/Mentor
Justin Geijer
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Format of Presentation or Performance
Pre-Recorded Video
Isokinetic Hamstring-to-Quadricep Ratios in Division II Collegiate Female Athletes
A study assessing lower body muscular strength values of WSU female athletes.
PURPOSE: Females are 4-6 times more likely to sustain an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear than males; however, only 12-19% of sports science publications contain female participants. Discrepancies in lower extremity muscular strength are a potential risk factor. A hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio (HQR) of less than 0.60 (60%) has been identified as a risk factor for greater ACL tension when landing. The purpose of this study was to first collect normative data on HQR in Division II collegiate female athletes via isokinetic strength testing. Secondly, this study compared HQR values between sports. It was hypothesized the mean HQR of each sport would be below the 0.60 (60%) threshold, indicating most female athletes may be at a greater risk for ACL injury. METHODS: Sixty-four NCAA DII female athletes completed lower extremity knee isokinetic flexion-extension testing at a velocity of sixty degrees per second. Metrics analyzed include quadricep peak torque, hamstring peak torque, and HQR. Descriptive statistics for each group were calculated. HQR values were compared via a nonparametric Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis h-test. Significance was denoted with a p-value of p< 0.05. RESULTS: Statistically significant right leg HQR team comparisons include Soccer (51.24±1.32) greater than Volleyball (45.97±1.69) (p = 0.0097), Soccer (51.24±1.32) greater than Tennis (41.47±3.23) (p=0.0181), Basketball (52.13± 1.04) greater than Volleyball (45.97±1.69) (p=0.0105), and Basketball (52.13± 1.04) greater than Tennis (41.47±3.23) (p=0.0097). Statistically significant left leg HQR comparisons include Basketball (54.26±1.24) greater than Cross Country (45.70±3.84) (p=0.0385), Basketball (54.26±1.24) greater than Soccer (49.64±1.57) (p=0.0441), and Basketball (54.26±1.24) greater than Volleyball (46.70 ± 2.01) (p=0.0017). CONCLUSION: All teams had a mean HQR below the 0.60 threshold, indicating the female athletes in this study may be at risk for greater ACL tension when landing. Statistically significant differences in HQR were found between four teams on the right leg and three teams on the left leg. These differences in HQR may be due to differences in sport demands. Strengthening the hamstring muscles to improve HQR values is recommended for all teams.
