THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MAXIMAL AND EXPLOSIVE VOLUNTARY MUSCULAR TORQUE AND THE RESPONSE TO UNEXPECTED PERTURBATIONS

Authors

  • FEARGHAL BEHAN
  • MATTHEW PAIN
  • JONATHAN FOLLAND

Keywords:

neuromuscular function, sports injuries, dynamic balance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between explosive toque of the plantar flexors and knee extensors and the centre of mass (COM) response to unexpected perturbations. 17 subjects were assessed for maximal and explosive isometric knee extension (KE) and plantar flexion (PF) toque and their response to unexpected anterior platform translations. The relationships between these measures were investigated using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Explosive torque of KE at 25 and 50 ms and PF at 50 and 75 ms demonstrated significant negative correlations (r = -0.528 to -0.575, p < 0.05) with COM acceleration at 300 ms post perturbation. This suggests that the ability to produce torque rapidly could assist in reducing and reversing the imposed COM acceleration following an unexpected perturbation.

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Published

2016-11-06