ISOKINETIC LEG STRENGTH CHANGES IN YOUNG FEMALE SOUTH AFRICAN RECRUITS FOLLOWING BASIC MILITARY TRAINING

Abstract

Isokinetic testing was used to assess upper and lower leg isokinetic strength changes in 83 female recruits (age 20.2 ± 1.8 years; body mass 60.2 ± 9.2kg; stature 158.0 ±16.8cm) pre and post 12-weeks of basic military training. The cohort completed 48 periods of physical training incorporating a 10% weekly progression and „Pole PT‟ exercises introduced from the fifth week of basic military training. No statistically significant (p<0.05) change in knee extension (60 /sec) and ankle dorsiflexion (30 /sec) measures were noted whilst knee flexion and ankle plantar flexion measures increased significantly by 11.5 % (Right)/ 5.5 % (Left) and 19.4 % (Right)/ 12.8 % (Left) from Pre-test to Post-test, respectively. The importance of considering isolated muscular testing rather than general muscular testing when assessing the effects of a training programme is highlighted.