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Isokinetic Assessment and Musculoskeletal Complaints in Paralympic Athletes: A Longitudinal Study
Andressa Silva1, Gisele Zanca, Eduardo Silva Alves
1From the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (Comitê Paraolímpico Brasileiro) (AS, CW, RP, RV, MTDM), Brasília, Distrito Federal; Center of Studies on Psychobiology and Exercise (Centro de Estudos em Psicobiologia e Exercício) (AS, ESA, VdAL, SAG, ST, MTDM), São Paulo, São Paulo; Federal University of São Carlos (Universidade Federal de São Carlos) (GZ, SMM), São Carlos, São Paulo; Federal University of São Paulo (Universidade Federal de São Paulo) (ESA, VdAL, CW, ST), São Paulo, São Paulo; and Federal University of Minas Gerais (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais) (AS, MTDM).
Objective:
The aim of this study was to assess and monitor the peak torque of the knee extensor and flexor muscles in flexion and extension and the reports of musculoskeletal complaints in members of the main Brazilian Paralympic athletics team through 1 yr.
Design:
Fourteen healthy athletes from both sexes were assessed three times in 1 yr. The volunteers were assessed for the presence of musculoskeletal complaints and muscle strength at three time points: (1) at the onset of the preparatory phase on December 2009, (2) at a follow-up assessment on June 2010, and (3) before actual competition on December 2010. The athletes' self-reported musculoskeletal complaints were assessed in structured interviews, and the muscle strength was assessed by means of isokinetic dynamometry.
Results:
The knee flexor and extensor muscle strength exhibited significant increase in both the right and left lower limbs at the second and third assessments compared with the first one (P < 0.05). Muscle imbalance was associated with knee and thigh complaints at all three assessments (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The knee flexor and extensor muscle strength exhibited a gradual increase in both lower limbs during the course of the three assessments. In parallel, muscle imbalance was associated with the occurrence of knee and thigh complaints.
