Isokinetic Knee Muscle Strength Parameters and Anthropometric Indices in Athletes with and without Hyperextended Knees

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Hypermobility has been linked to decreased knee performance, including isokinetic and isometric knee strength. This study aimed to determine whether athletes with and without knee hyperextension have different hamstring-to-quadriceps strength (H/Q) ratios and to investigate the associations between knee hyperextension indices and H/Q ratios and anthropometric characteristics. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 47 healthy male athletes without knee injuries aged 23.48 ± 3.54 years. The variables included the degree of knee hypermobility, isokinetic parameters of the leg musculature, and anthropometric indices. Differences between athletes with and without hyperextension were calculated using an independent sample t-test, effect sizes, and discriminant analysis, while associations between the variables were checked by Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Results: Athletes with hyperextended knees had shorter legs (t value = −2.23, p = 0.03, moderate ES) and shins (t = −2.64, p = 0.01, moderate ES) and a lower H/Q ratio at an angular velocity of 60°/s (t = −2.11, p = 0.04, moderate ES) than those in the nonhyperextended group did; these differences were supported by discriminant analysis (Wilks’ L = 0.60, p = 0.01). An increase in the H/Q ratio at an angular velocity of 60°/s was associated with the degree of knee hypermobility (R = −0.29, p = 0.04). Conclusions: This research showed that athletes with knee hypermobility have weaker hamstring strength and thus a lower H/Q strength ratio at lower angular velocities. These findings suggest that targeted strength training programs for leg (i.e., hamstrings) muscles should help individuals with knee hypermobility.