ISOKINETIC STRENGTH AND RATIO OF PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN UAE

Mourad Ghrairi
Philippe Chomier
Maher Khelifa
Jean Marcel Ferret

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Publication Date

6-10-2013

Abstract

Numerous research studies examined muscles strength among professional football players worldwide. However, little or no research studies exist on this issue with relation to Arabian Gulf players. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to provide reference data for peak isokinetic muscle strength and ratio of hamstring and quadriceps in professional Emirati footballers. The study was conducted within Alshabab Football Club (AFC) of Dubai, one of twelve clubs evolving then in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) professional football league. As part of AFC's 2011–2012 preseason program, 36 professional footballers underwent an isokinetic assessment. Peak Torque and Ratio of left and right thigh muscles, i.e. quadriceps and hamstrings, were assessed using a Cybex Norm machine following a standardized protocol at 3 different speeds, namely 60, 180, and 240°/s. The results for the right thigh showed that the maximum peak torque at the speed of 60°/sec was 195.77 N.m. for the quadriceps and 173.2 N.m for the Hamstring. For the left thigh, the values were 193.3 N.m for the quadriceps and 171.6 N.m for the hamstrings. As our main focus was to assess the balance of the thigh muscles, the recorded average ratio hamstrings/quadriceps was 95.6 for the right thigh and 94.4 for the left one. In comparison with the available literature in other professional football leagues, the obtained values indicate that the Emirati player is characterized with a lack of strength and thigh muscles imbalance. Data obtained in this study was used to educate players and football technicians on the need to rigorously strength train to reach the ideal muscle profile as observed in reputed professional football leagues. The obtained values were also used as a reference for the prevention and rehabilitation of muscle injuries.

ISSN

0306-3674

Publisher

BMJ

Volume

47

First Page

e3.17

Last Page

e3

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Indexed in Scopus

no

Open Access

no

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