Muscle strength characteristics of the hamstrings and quadriceps in players from a high-level youth football (soccer) Academy. Issue 3 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Peek, Kerry; Gatherer, Don; Bennett, Kyle J. M.; Fransen, Job; Watsford, Mark
• Is Part Of: Research in sports medicine. Volume 26:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 276
• Page End: 288
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Isometric strength -- dynamometry -- adolescence -- soccer -- knee; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine du sport -- Périodiques; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2018.1447475
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1543-8627

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to investigate knee muscle strength characteristics in players from a high-level youth football Academy. In total, 110 players (aged 8–15 years) underwent muscle strength assessments carried out by a research physiotherapist using a computer-linked hand-held dynamometer. Results indicated that isometric hamstrings and quadriceps strength increased with age, whereas the isometric hamstring to quadriceps (H/Q) ratio decreased with age. A number of youth football players (n = 20; 18%; 95% CI: 11–27%) demonstrated isometric H/Q ratios of less than 0.60, as well as muscle strength asymmetries between limbs for the hamstrings (n = 40, 36%; 95% CI: 27–46%) and quadriceps (n = 51, 46%; 95% CI 37–56%), potentially increasing injury risk. This study provides new evidence that the isometric H/Q ratio reduces with advancing age during adolescence which may have important implications for junior athlete development and long-term injury prevention in football.