Effects of speed of motion and body weight on peak muscle torque of hamstrings, quadriceps, dorsiflexors, and plantarflexions in men and women

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of speed of motion and body weight on peak muscle torque and muscle ratios of the hamstrings, quadriceps, dorsiflexors, and plantarflexors in men and women. Sixteen males and eighteen females, ages 18-49 years, performed four repetitions of knee flexion and extension at 60./second and 180./second, and ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion at 30./second and 60./second on the Cybex 340 isokinetic dynamometer. There was a statistically significant difference (p\u3c0.01) among speeds for all four muscle group\u27s peak torque values for both males and females, and for dorsiflexion/plantarflexion muscle ratios in males. Comparisons between males and females showed a statistically significant difference in peak torque values for all four muscle groups at all speeds but a significant difference was not found for muscle ratios. A statistically significant correlation (p\u3c0.01) was not found between body weight and peak torque for any muscle group at either speed. A statistically significant difference was found between males and females in the amount of force produced per pound of body weight in the quadriceps and hamstrings at both speeds and in dorsiflexors at 30./second but not in dorsiflexors at 60./second nor plantarflexors at either speed