ISOKINETIC LEG STRENGTH CHANGES IN YOUNG FEMALE SOUTH AFRICAN RECRUITS FOLLOWING BASIC MILITARY TRAINING
Keywords:
plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, knee extension, knee flexion, physicalAbstract
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.Downloads
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Coaching and Sports Activities