29th Annual Student Research Conference
Relationship between muscle volume and isokinetic strength in men and women college athletes
Paige A. Clawson*, Rebecca C. Millard, and Alison Crew
Dr. Jerry Mayhew, Faculty Mentor
Anecdotally, muscle size is often equated with muscle strength. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between leg size and isokinetic extension and flexion strengths in college men and women athletes. Sixteen male and three female club and varsity college athletes (age=18-22 yrs) were measured for proximal, mid, and distal thigh circumferences to calculate thigh volume and mid-thigh cross-sectional area (CSA). Peak torques for leg extension and flexion were measured at 60 deg/s. Neither right nor left thigh volume nor CSA were significantly correlated with extension (r=0.32 to 0.36) or flexion torques (r=0.23 to 0.44). Contrary to previous studies, anthropometry may have limited utility for identifying and predicting isokinetic leg strength in college athletes. Further research should be done to identify more accurate measurements for estimating leg extension and flexion strengths among subjects of this age and ability.
Keywords: Muscle volume, isokinetic strength, Men, women, college athletes, club sports, varsity sports
Topic(s):Exercise Science
Athletic Training
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 7-9
Location: GEO-SUB
Time: 3:30