Do functional hamstring to quadriceps ratio differ between men and women with and without stroke?

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Biomechanics

Background:

• The functional hamstrings/quadriceps ratio (FH/Q) is a key indicator of muscle imbalances, particularly relevant in post-stroke rehabilitation.
• Investigating sex-based differences in FH/Q is crucial for understanding stroke recovery and tailoring interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the FH/Q between male and female stroke survivors and matched controls.
• To analyze potential sex-specific differences in muscle function and imbalances post-stroke.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 56 participants (10 men and 18 women with stroke; 10 men and 18 women controls).
• Peak torque (PT) for concentric knee extension (conc) and eccentric knee flexion (ecc) was measured to calculate FH/Q.
• Statistical analyses (ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis) were used to compare FH/Q and PT between sexes and groups, considering limb dominance and paretic status.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in FH/Q were observed between stroke survivors and controls, nor between sexes for the non-paretic limb.
• The paretic limb in stroke survivors exhibited a significantly higher FH/Q compared to the non-dominant limb of controls, in both sexes.
• Men demonstrated higher concentric and eccentric peak torque than women; however, no significant differences in peak torque were found between stroke survivors and controls for men's limbs, except for a higher concentric peak torque in the non-dominant limb.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with stroke exhibit an elevated FH/Q in the paretic limb relative to the non-dominant limb of controls, irrespective of sex.
• The functional hamstrings/quadriceps ratio does not significantly differ between men and women affected by stroke, suggesting similar patterns of muscle imbalance.