Peak moments of lower extremity muscles in women: A comparative study of concentric, eccentric and isometric contractions

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that maximum isometric muscle moment can surpass maximum eccentric muscle moment at individually adjusted joint angles in men. However, no information about these muscle mechanics is available for women. OBJECTIVE: To examine the maximum muscle moment hierarchywith equal conditions in women. METHODS: Maximum voluntary concentric, eccentric, and isometric muscle moments of ankle, knee, and hip flexors and extensors as well as hip adductors and abductors were tested in eighteen young women. The sequence of muscle group testing was the same for all subjects, and the sequence of contraction types was randomized. All dynamic contractions were performed at 60∘/s. Peak moment angle of concentric contractions was applied for isometric moment testing. A repeated measures ANOVA with posthoc Bonferroni correction was used to compare means between contraction types. RESULTS: Differences in maximum moment mean values between the three contraction types were apparent for all muscle groups (p< 0.001). Concentric muscle moment was significantly the weakest contraction type. Eccentric contractions generated significantly higher moments than isometric contractions in dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, knee flexion, and hip adduction. CONCLUSION: Significant differences in maximum lower body muscle moments exist between concentric, eccentric, and isometric contractions in women. Compared to previous research for men there appears to be a sex-specific contraction type hierarchy with women exhibiting superior ability to generate higher eccentric muscle moment relative to other contraction types. These results should be considered when designing contractiontype specific intervention programs.