Differences in Muscle Strength of the Dominant and Non-Dominant Leg of High Performance Female Athletes

Abstract

Research background and hypothesis. According research literature, the imbalance of hip muscles in the dominant and non-dominant leg can cause wear and tear of the knee joint or tendinitis. Therefore the study was carried out to determine whether there were differences in muscle strength and if muscle differences had influence on knee joints of dominant and non-dominant legs for high performance women athletes. Research aim was to compare muscle strength of knee flexor, extensor and hip abductor, adductor muscles of the dominant and non-dominant legs for high performance female athletes. Research methods. There were 53 high performance female athletes participating in the study, whose maximum strength of flexor and extensor muscles of knee, as well as abductor and adductor muscles of hip had been measured using a dynamometer MMT – Manual Muscle Tester. Research results. The strength of flexor and extensor muscles of knee of the non-dominant leg was significantly higher than that of the dominant leg. There was no statistically significant difference in strength of abductor and adductor muscles of the dominant and non-dominant leg. Discussion and conclusions. The strength of flexor and extensor muscles of knee of non-dominating leg for high performance female athletes was significantly greater than muscle strength of the dominant leg. There was no statistically significant difference in the strength of the abductor and adductor muscles of hip of the dominant and non-dominant leg. It is advisable to develop exercises to strengthen these muscle groups in order to prevent knee injury in the future. Keywords: knee flexors, knee extensors, hip abductors, hip adduction.