Isokinetic Strength and Ratio of Professional Football Players in Uae

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.

Muscular strength profile in Tunisian male national judo team

“…It allows the assessment of various joint groups' muscles of lower limb, upper limb and trunk. In the field of sports medicine, the most commonly assessed joint is the knee, following a standardized protocol of 3 angular velocities low, intermediate and high, respectively 60 (or 90), 180 and 240°/s 5,11,14,17 . In this study, the performances of hamstrings and quadriceps were measured by the dynamometer during concentric contraction of both at 90, 180 and 240°/s.…”

“…The muscles groups were assessed during concentric contraction, at 2 angular speeds (60°/s and 120°/s). The isokinetic dynamometer delivers many measurements assessing the muscular strength profile (MSP) 10,11,17 . In the present study we used two of these parameters; the maximum peak torque of each muscle, in N.m and the ratio agonisitic/antagonistic muscles in %.…”

“…Furthermore, the software delivers other measurements such as the overall work, movement amplitude, fatigue index, and the agonistic/antagonistic muscle groups' ratio 10 . These parameters allow defining the muscular strength profile (MSP) which is a reliable data in order to allow monitoring the individual strength training program for each athlete, and the rehabilitation of muscular injuries, mainly occurring in the lower limb 11 . Actually, it has been proven that the use of isokinetic equipment in top-level sports contributes to improving performance 12 .…”

Identify the Tests to Measure Physical Characteristics and Basic Skills for the Football Players in Iraq

“…Iraq an Asian country, is recently trying to progress their football players knowledge and level by hiring foreign coaches and moving based on the international rules. But still there is not sufficient information about the findings and the focus Flourishing Creativity & Literacy of most of the researches is mainly on financial or management attitudes (Cho, 2013;Ghrairi, Chomier, Khelifa, & Ferret, 2013). Still there is not a series of tests standard to measure physical basic skills and characteristics in football.…”

“…Still there is not a series of tests standard to measure physical basic skills and characteristics in football. The article published in 2013 which was conducted by Ghrairi et al as the latest article, recognized formation of periodization of Iraq elite football players' sport training and also perfection scientific-methodic basis of Iraq football players' training procedure management was formed (Ghrairi et al, 2013). However, still there is no study about the essential factors that can influence the players and their performance including their basic skills and physical characteristics.…”