Comparison of peak torque and hamstring/quadriceps femoris ratios during high-velocity isokinetic exercise in sprinters, cross-country runners, and normal males

The purpose of this study was to compare the overall peak torque per kilogram body weight (peak torque/kg) and hamstring to quadriceps femoris (H/Q) peak torque ratios between 13 male intercollegiate sprint athletes, 10 male intercollegiate cross-country runners, and 11 normal males at angular velocities of 271, 375, 472 and 583 deg/sec. A modified Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer was used for all data collection. The dominant leg of each subject was tested at all four test velocities and the non-gravity-corrected peak torque/kg values of the hamstrings and quadriceps femoris as well as the H/Q peak torque ratios were analyzed. The results were: (1) Sprinters produced a significantly greater (p < 0.05) values for both hamstrings and quadriceps femoris than normals at 271, 472, and 583 deg/sec and significantly greater quadriceps femoris peak torque/kg than cross-country runners at 583 deg/sec. (2) Cross-country runners produced significantly greater peak torque/kg hamstring values than normals at 472 deg/sec. (3) No significant differences were found for H/Q peak torque ratios between groups at each speed or between speeds for each group. (4) The absolute differences between peak torque/kg values of the hamstrings and the quadriceps femoris decreased with increasing velocity for all groups. (5) Cross-country runners' hamstring peak torque/kg values exceeded the quadriceps peak torque/kg values at 583 deg/sec.