Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Education and Sport Science,
University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece | [b] Department of Physical Education and Sport Science,
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece | [c] Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at
Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Vasilis Gerodimos, University of
Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, Karies 42100,
Trikala, Greece. Tel.: +30 24310 47005; E-mail: bgerom@pe.uth.gr
Abstract: Muscle strength and balance around the lower limb joints may play an
important role for performance and injury prevention in basketball. The purpose
of this study was to examine isokinetic "functional" and "conventional"
torque ratios around the ankle joint in young basketball players. One hundred
and eighty males from 12 to 17 years old (30 persons per age group) performed
maximum concentric and eccentric efforts of the plantar and dorsiflexors at
30°·s^{-1} and
90°·s^{-1}.
Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) designs indicated that the absolute
isokinetic plantar and dorsiflexion strength increased
(p<0.05) from 12 to 15 years and then demonstrated a plateau
until 17 years old. When the isokinetic strength was normalized relative to
body mass the only difference was found between the 16–17 and 12–13
year-olds. Two-way ANOVAs indicated non-significant effects of chronological
age on all reciprocal muscle group ratios suggesting uniformity in the
development of peak isokinetic torque of plantar and dorsiflexors throughout
the developmental ages. Coaches and physical therapists may use this
information when evaluating and planning exercise programs of ankle musculature
during training and rehabilitation.
Keywords: Ankle, strength, relative strength, isokinetics, ratio, children
