Assessment of Muscle Strength Imbalance of Ankle, Knee and Hip Joints as one of Important Biomechanical Factors in Predicting of Extremity Lower Sport Injuries among Elite Young Athletes

The propose of this study was assessment of the muscle strength imbalance of ankle, knee and hip joints as one of the important biomechanical factors in predicting of lower limbs sport injuries among young elite athletes. The number of 45 male of the soccer players, Track & Field and Woshu from Zanjan clubs (mean ± SD; age 17.6 ±2.1 Y, weight 63.3 ± 10.8 Kg, height 172.5 ± 10.3 Cm) were randomly selected. Muscle strength were measured using isotonic machines (DYNAFORCE) and 1RM. Injures were collected by a questionnaire. Result of this study showed the relationship between muscle imbalance selected in ankle, knee and hip joints with muscle injuries were significant (P<0.05). There were significant relationship of the coordination between muscle strength (ankle plantar flexor/ dorsi flexor), (hip addactor/abdactor),(knee flexor/ extensor) with muscle injuries in dominant - nondominant legs (P<0.05). In conclusion that, reciprocal and bilateral muscles strength imbalance of ankle, knee, and hip joints of dominant - nondominant legs are one of the most important factors in muscle injury and also, the data of present study can be help to trainers, coaches, players and clubs managers in designing program prevention of injury.