Affiliations: [a] Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Sport and Movement Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany | [b] Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Marco Hagen, Biomechanics Laboratory, Institute of Sport and Movement Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Gladbecker Str. 182, 45141 Essen, Germany. Tel.: +49 201 183 7386; Fax: +49 201 183 7309; E-mail:marco.hagen@uni-due.de
Abstract: BACKGROUND: It is currently unclear how participation in different sports
affects the angle-specific subtalar pronator and supinator muscle strength
and pronator-to-supinator strength ratio (PSR). OBJECTIVE: Based on the hypothesis that both differences sport-related
patterns of play and foot-ground interaction may lead to sport-specific
muscle adaptations, this study compared the angle specific pronator and
supinator strength capacity of handball and soccer players. METHODS: Eighteen healthy male handball and 19 soccer players performed maximum
isometric voluntary isometric contractions using a custom-made testing
apparatus. Peak pronator (PPT) and supinator torques (PST), pronator and
supinator strength curves (normalised to the peak torque across all joint
angles) and PSR were measured in five anatomical joint angles across the
active subtalar range of motion (ROM). RESULTS: All analysed parameters were dependent on the subtalar joint angle.
The ANOVA revealed significant `joint angle' × `group' interactions on PPT,
pronator strength curves and PSR. No group differences were found for active
subtalar ROM. CONCLUSION: In previously uninjured handball and soccer athletes, there
were intrinsic differences in angle-specific subtalar pronator muscle
strength. The lower PSR, which was found in the most supinated angle, can be
seen as a risk factor for sustaining an ankle sprain.
