Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the use of average moment (AVM) vs. peak moment (PM) in analyzing muscle strength. Two groups of healthy subjects in whom the strength of the knee extensor (group Q, N = 16) and trunk extensors (group T, N = 20) was assessed, took part in the study. Using four intermittent concentric-eccentric contractions at two angular velocities, subjects were asked to exert three distinct strength levels: one maximal and two submaximal. The main findings point out that in spite of the high correlations between the two strength parameters, generally in excess of 0.9, the relationship between the AVM and the PM behaved differently in the knee extensors compared with the trunk extensors. Moreover, with respect to the knee extensors this relationship differed among the levels of exertion. In the light of the discussion, it is suggested that ratios based on inter-muscle (bilateral) or intra-muscle (eg concentric vs. eccentric ratios) performance would probably be better represented by the AVM.