Measurement and evaluation of M. quadriceps femoris and adductor group muscles in professional volleyball and football players using isokinetic testing metods

The aim of this study is to measure the muscle strength of flexor (hamstring) and extensor (m. Quadriceps) that has effective on knee joint and femoral abductor and adductor muscles at different angular velocities using the CSMI (CYBEX) Human Norm Isokinetic Test metod, and using the data obtained, to evaluate exercise metods and demonstrate the trends regarding injuries related to these. A total of 17 participants took part in this study, with 17 volleyball players and 20 football players. All participants are athletes, and it was required for the participants to exercise regularly and have an active sports career of at least 5 years. Participants volunteered for the study and all participants signed informed consent forms. The knee flexion/extension rates of the participants were measured at angular velocities of 60◦/s and 240º/ s and abductor/adductor muscle strength rates were measured at 60◦/s and 120º/ s on both the dominant and non-dominant extremities of the athletes using the CSMI (CYBEX) Humac Norm Isokinetic Test metod. Analysis of the study data was done using SPSS statistics package software. The fit of the isokinetic strength of dominant and non-dominant extremities of volleyball players, football players and the control group to the normal distribution was examined using the Shapiro-Wilk (n<50) test. When Independent Samples T test cannot be achieved with a fit to the normal distribution, Mann-Whitney U test was used. A statistically significant difference in favor of volleyball players was observed between football players and volleyball players in the peak torque values for extensor and flexor group muscles in dominant and nondominant extremities at angular velocities of 60◦/s and 240º/ s (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between football players and volleyball players in the flexor/extensor (H/Q) rates for extensor and flexor group muscles in dominant and nondominant extremities at angular velocities of 60◦/s and 240º/ s (p>0.05). A statistically significant difference in favor of volleyball players was observed between football players and volleyball players in the peak torque values for adductor group muscles in dominant and nondominant extremities at angular velocities of 60◦/s and 120º/ s (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed between football players and volleyball players in the peak torque values for abductor group muscles in dominant extremites at angular velocities of 60◦/s and 120º/ s (p>0.05) In nondominant extremities at angular velocity of 60◦/s there is no significant difference but 120º/ s a significant diffence was observed in this favor of volleyball players. While no statistically significant difference was observed between volleyball players and football players with regards to the abductor / adductor ratio values of adductor and abductor group muscles of the dominant extremities at the 60◦/s angular velocity (p>0.05), a statistically significant difference was observed in this in favor of volleyball players at 120º/ s angular velocity (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference in favor of volleyball players was observed between football and volleyball players in the abductor/adductor values of the adductor and abductor group muscles of non-dominant extremities at 60◦/s and 120º/ s angular velocities (p<0.05). In this study, it was determined that as angular velocity increases, H/Q rate also increased. It was determined that the differences between dominant and non-dominant extremities did not reach above %10, which is considered the critical value for injuries. Peak torque values were higher for volleyball players, who use static and dynamic power prominently in their lower extremities, in all angular velocities, compared to football players, who focus on the use of dynamic power. In conclusion, it was found that the H/Q and dominant/non-dominant ratios and Peak Torque values of the athlete groups were found to be below the levels that would cause injury and within the normal limits. It was determined that athletes did not have a disproportionate level of muscle strength and a serious inclination towards injury. This shows that the athletes used correct exercise metods in the past. As a result, there was no need to offer new metods regarding the exercise programs of the volleyball and football players participating in the study. Keywords: Knee; Isokinetic Measurement; Strength; Injury; Sports