Affiliations: [a] Department of Rehabilitation and Functional
Evaluation, Fraternidad Muprespa, Madrid | [b] Alcobendas Rugby Club, Madrid
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Dr. Jesús Olmo, Jefe del
Departamento de Rehabilitación y Valoración Funcional, Hospital Central de
Fraternidad Muprespa, C/Madre de Dios 42, 28016 Madrid, Spain. Tel.: +34
913431174 E-mail: jolmo@fraternidad.com
Abstract: Strength is an important factor in athletic performance. Although
maximal strength is readily measurable using isokinetic dynamometry other
parameters are needed to assess the specific explosive component of muscular
strength. To identify these parameters, 41 high-level long-distance runners (17
female and 24 male) and 65 high-level sprinters (22 female and 43 male)
performed maximal isokinetic knee flexion/extension exertions at
60°/s and 300°/s using the
dominant limb. Multiple strength parameters of hamstrings and quadriceps were
studied including peak torque (PT) at both velocities, %PT at 0.2 s of contraction
initiation at 60°/s, average explosive work at
300°/s, average power at
300°/s, average power at 300°/s
divided by the PT at 60°/s (Relative Power Index –
RPI), and average power at 300°/s divided by the PT at
300°/s. The only parameter which did not significantly
correlate with (PT60) was the RPI in both flexion and extension. Irrespective
of gender, this parameter was also significantly higher in sprinters compared
with long-distance runners, and higher in the hamstrings than in the
quadriceps. Therefore the use of this parameter is recommended for measuring
explosive strength related to sprinting performance in the athlete. Reference
data for the RPI in high-level sprinters are provided.
