Effects of Hip Angle Variation on Isometric Strength of Quadriceps and Hamstrings Muscles in Young Adults

Abstract

Background: Muscular strength is often used as a criterion for functional progression and return to activity after knee joint injury or surgery. It has been the subject of measurement by many investigators, with divers techniques employed. The goal is usually the determination of the average strength of the muscles under controlled conditions.

Objective: To determine the effect of variations of hip angle on the isometric strength of quadriceps and hamstrings muscle groups in young adults.

Method:Thirty young male adults with a mean age of 22.671.77 years participated in the study. Their anthropometric characteristics were measured and the isometric strengths of the dominant knee quadriceps and hamstrings muscles were measured with a tensiometer at 900, 1200, 1500, and 1800 hip angles.

Results: The quadriceps muscles generated the greatest tension at 1200 and lowest at 900 while the hamstrings generated the greatest tension at 900 and lowest at 1800.

Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that quadriceps muscles could be maximally strengthened at 1200 hip joint position, while the hamstrings muscles could be maximally strengthened at 900 hip joint position (i.e. up-right sitting).