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Int J Sports Med 2011; 32(12): 935-939
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1283184
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Influence of Acute Eccentric Exercise on the H:Q Ratio

B. J. Thompson
1   Oklahoma State University, Health and Human Performance, Stillwater Oklahoma, United States
,
D. B. Smith
1   Oklahoma State University, Health and Human Performance, Stillwater Oklahoma, United States
,
E. J. Sobolewski
2   University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Exercise and Sport Science, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
,
R. E. Fiddler
1   Oklahoma State University, Health and Human Performance, Stillwater Oklahoma, United States
,
L. Everett
1   Oklahoma State University, Health and Human Performance, Stillwater Oklahoma, United States
,
J. L. Klufa
1   Oklahoma State University, Health and Human Performance, Stillwater Oklahoma, United States
,
E. D. Ryan
2   University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Exercise and Sport Science, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 31 May 2011

Publication Date:
17 November 2011 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of an acute bout of eccentric exercise on maximal isokinetic concentric peak torque (PT) of the leg flexors and extensors and the hamstrings-to-quadriceps (H:Q) strength ratio. Sixteen male (mean±SD: age=20.9±2 years; stature=177.0±4.4 cm; mass=76.8±10.0 kg) volunteers performed maximal, concentric isokinetic leg extension and flexion muscle actions at 60°·sec − 1 before and after (24–72 h) a bout of eccentric exercise. The eccentric exercise protocol consisted of 4 sets of 10 repetitions for the leg press, leg extension, and leg curl exercises at 120% of the concentric one repetition maximum (1-RM). The results indicated that the acute eccentric exercise protocol resulted in a significant (P<0.05) decrease in isokinetic leg flexion (13–19%) and leg extension (11–16%) PT 24–72 h post-exercise. However, the H:Q ratios were unaltered by the eccentric exercise protocol. These findings suggest that an acute bout of eccentric exercise utilizing both multi – and single – joint dynamic constant external resistance (DCER) exercises results in similar decreases in maximal isokinetic strength of the leg flexors and extensors, but does not alter the H:Q ratio.

Keywords

hamstring injury risk - hamstrings to quadriceps ratio - muscle strength imbalance
 

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