Dynamic trunk strength of Canadian football players, soccer players, and middle to long distance runners.

Abstract

Muscle strength data for sports which have varying demands on the trunk musculature are needed. The purpose of this study was to measure the trunk strength of three different sports groups of male varsity athletes and a recreationally active but nontrained group. Forty-six athletes (soccer: N = 16, Canadian football: N = 15, and middle and long distance runners: N = 15) and 15 recreationally active subjects were studied. Three consecutive concentric and eccentric contractions through a range of 60 degrees at an angular velocity of 30 degrees per second (0.5236 rad/sec) were performed to measure the strength of the trunk flexors and extensors. Results showed peak concentric and eccentric flexor torque for football and soccer players to be significantly greater than the other two groups (p < or = 0.05). Peak concentric and eccentric extensor torque was significantly greater for football players than runners (p < or = 0.05). Soccer players' eccentric flexor peak torque relative to body mass was significantly greater than runners and the recreationally active subjects (p < or = 0.05). This study compares trunk flexor and extensor data for specific sports populations.