The Relationship between Knee Flexor-Extensor Muscle Strength and Balance Ability in Elite Gymnasts
Aydın Balcı1
, Tuğba Kocahan2, Bihter Akınoğlu3
1Sports Medicine Division, Yenimahalle Training and Research Hospital, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara, Turkey
2Sports Medicine Division, Directorate of Health Affairs, General Directorate of Sports, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ankara, Turkey
3Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ankara, Turkey
Keywords: Eccentric, isokinetic, concentric, Y balance test
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between balance skill and concentric and eccentric isokinetic knee muscle strength in elite gymnasts.
Materials and Methods: A total of 30 (17 males, 13 females) elite gymnasts were included in the study. Y-balance test, isokinetic concentric and eccentric muscle strength measurements were applied to the subjects on different days. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between isokinetic muscle strength and balance ability. The relationship between isokinetic muscle strength and total balance scores of each extremity was evaluated by simple linear regression analysis.
Results: Statistically significant, weak and moderate correlations were found between isokinetic muscle strength and balance ability (r=0.36-0.66). As a result of simple linear regression analysis, significant relationships were found between concentric and eccentric isokinetic muscle strength of right and left knees, and total balance score (adjusted R2 =0.16-0.41).
Conclusion: Weak and moderate relationships between balance skill and isokinetic knee muscle strength was determined in elite gymnasts. It is concluded that knee joint muscle strength is related to balance ability. However, the level of relationship might vary according to the type of strength and balance exercises.
Cite this article as: Balci A, Kocahan T, Akinoglu B. The relationship between knee flexor-extensor muscle strength and balance ability in elite gymnasts. Turk J Sports Med. 2020;55(3):214-21.
