Muscle Strength Differences of Hamstring-to-Quadriceps Ratio in Para-Footballers with Cerebral Palsy

• Marco Kokaly ^[1] ; Tracey Valdés Morales ^[1] ; Ignacio Morales Sein ^[1] ; Fernando García ^[2] ; Felipe Herrera ^[3] ; Matías Henríquez ^[4]
  1. [1] Faculty of Medicine, School of Kinesiology, University of the Andes, Chile
  2. [2] Sport Research Centre, Department of Sports Sciences, Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain
  3. [3] School of Health Sciences, Viña del Mar University, Viña del Mar, Chile
  4. [4] School of Kinesiology, College of Dentistry and Rehabilitation Sciences, San Sebastián University, Providencia, Chile

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• Localización: European Journal of Human Movement, ISSN-e 2386-4095, ISSN 0214-0071, Nº. 51, 2023, págs. 46-59
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • The aims of this study were 1) to examine differences in knee flexor and knee extensor muscle strength between lower limbs and 2) to compare the hamstring to quadriceps (H/Q) muscle strength ratio and asymmetries, considering more and less affected legs inpara-footballers with cerebral palsy (CP) and unilateral spasticity impairment profile. This cross-sectional design study included nine male para-footballers with CP who participated in this study. Participants performed an isometric knee extension and flexion for 5 seconds, and the force was registered with a load cell. The maximum peak force for the hamstring and quadriceps was registered for the more and less affected leg. The difference between legs, between muscle groups, and the hamstring and quadriceps ratio (H/Q ratio) was calculated. The knee extension of the less affected leg showed significantly greater strength than the more affected leg (p= 0.014, d= 0.63), but there were no differences between knee flexors (p= 0.35, d= 0.13). The H/Q ratio was significantly lower in the lessaffected leg than in the moreaffected leg (p= 0.03, d= -0.75). The majority of participants (77%) showed asymmetry in lower limb strength levels by more than 10%. Para-footballers with CP showed asymmetries and strength deficits which could be related to a higher prevalence of injury risk factors. The characteristics of this population should be taken into account, and this type of test should be implemented in order to design appropriate training programs to counteract the neuromuscular consequences of CP and improve physical performance