Maximal isokinetic elbow and knee flexor-extensor strength measures in combat sports athletes: the role of movement velocity and limb side

Background Maximal isokinetic strength ratios of joint flexors and extensors are important parameters to indicate the level of muscular balance at the joint. Further, in combat sports athletes, upper and lower limb muscle strength is affected by the type of sport. Thus, this study aimed to examine the differences in maximal isokinetic strength of the flexors and extensors and the corresponding flexor-extensor strength ratios of the elbows and knees in combat sports athletes. Method Forty male participants (age = 22.3 +/- 2.5 years) from four different combat sports (amateur boxing, taekwondo, karate, and judo; n = 10 per sport) were tested for eccentric peak torque of the elbow/knee flexors (EF/KF) and concentric peak torque of the elbow/knee extensors (EE/KE) at three different angular velocities (60, 120, and 180 degrees/s) on the dominant and non-dominant side using an isokinetic device. Results Analyses revealed significant, large-sized group x velocity x limb interactions for EF, EE, and EF-EE ratio, KF, KE, and KF-KE ratio (p <= 0.03; 0.91 <= d <= 1.75). Post-hoc analyses indicated that amateur boxers displayed the largest EE strength values on the non-dominant side at <= 120 degrees/s and the dominant side at >= 120 degrees/s (p < 0.03; 1.21 <= d <= 1.59). The largest EF-EE strength ratios were observed on amateur boxers' and judokas' non-dominant side at >= 120 degrees/s (p < 0.04; 1.36 <= d <= 2.44). Further, we found lower KF-KE strength measures in karate (p < 0.04; 1.12 <= d <= 6.22) and judo athletes (p <= 0.03; 1.60 <= d <= 5.31) particularly on the non-dominant side. Conclusions The present findings indicated combat sport-specific differences in maximal isokinetic strength measures of EF, EE, KF, and KE particularly in favor of amateur boxers on the non-dominant side. Trial registration: This study does not report results related to health care interventions using human participants and therefore it was not prospectively registered.

Automated summary

The study found combat sport-specific differences in maximal isokinetic strength measures of flexors and extensors in combat sports athletes, particularly in favor of amateur boxers on the non-dominant side.