Abstract
To determine optimal parameters for representing knee flexion and extension strength in athletes and describe reference values for track and field athletics, 248 high-level Spanish athletes of 22 different specialities and a group of 68 sedentary subjects were tested isokinetically at 60 and 300°/s. Absolute and weight normalized strength of the flexors and extensors as well as the hamstrings/quadriceps ratio (H/Q60, H/Q300) were studied. Significant correlations were found among all flexion and extension and between the H/Q ratios. Comparative analysis revealed significant differences among groups for the strength at 60°/s and largely no differences in the H/Q ratio. It is concluded that for discriminating between groups the peak torque at 60°/s is sufficient. Moreover as the athletic specialty has no effect on the H/Q ratio its use for this particular purpose should be discontinued.