Lateral dominance of legs in maximal muscle power, muscular endurance, and grading ability

The purpose of this study was to examine lateral dominance in maximal muscle power, muscular endurance, and grading ability, using isokinetic mulscular strength in knee extension and flexion. The subjects were 50 healthy male students whose ages ranged from 19 to 23 years (M height: 173.6+/-6.2 cm, M weight: 67.2+/-6.8 kg). Their dominant legs for power exertion and for functional use were based on questionnaire items selected from those used in previous studies. The angular velocities of extension and flexion for exerting maximal muscle power were 60, 180, and 300 x sec.(-1). A continuous exertion 30 times at an angular velocity of 180 sec.(-1) was used as the load for muscular endurance. For grading ability, 25%, 50% and 75% of the maximal muscle strength at angular velocities of 60 and 180 x sec.(-1) were the required values, and the difference between these values and the exerted muscular strength was evaluated. The dominant leg and nondominant leg were compared for both power exertion and functional use. There was no lateral dominance in maximal muscle power and muscular endurance. In muscular endurance, especially, some subjects showed one leg superior in power exertion and some superior in functional use. Lateral dominance was noted across maximal muscle power and muscular endurance in grading ability. The dominant leg tended to be better than the nondominant leg in functional use. However, lateral dominance was not remarkable for flexing motion and in exertion for a short time.