Differences between genders in eccentric hip adduction to abduction, hip medial to lateral rotation and knee flexion to extension peak torques ratios

Muscle imbalances appear to contribute to lower limb injuries and the incidence rate of some knee injuries has been reported to be greater in females than in males. The purposes of this study were to compare the differences between genders in eccentric hip and knee peak torques normalized according to body mass as well as in eccentric hip adduction to abduction (HAD/HAB), hip medial to lateral rotation (HMR/HLR) and knee flexion to extension (KF/KE) peak torques ratios. Seventeen males and twenty-two females participated in this study. Eccentric hip and knee peak torque for each movement were measured using an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Multi-Joint System 2). The Student t test for independent samples and the Mann-Whitney U test were used for all comparisons between genders (alpha = 0.05). The results showed that females had significantly lower eccentric hip adduction, abduction, medial rotation and lateral rotation as well as lower knee flexion and extension peak torques. Females also showed greater eccentric HAD/HAB and HMR/HLR as well as lower KF/KE peak torques ratios when compared to males. The differences verified between genders help to explain the greater rate of knee disorders observed in females.