Leg press exercise can reduce functional hamstring:quadriceps ratio in the elderly

• Published in: Journal of bodywork and movement therapies Vol. 22; no. 3; pp. 592 - 597
• Main Authors: Orssatto, Lucas Bet da Rosa, Moura, Bruno Monteiro de, Sakugawa, Raphael Luiz, Radaelli, Regis, Diefenthaeler, Fernando
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2018
• Subjects: Aged; Aging; Conventional ratio; Female; Functional ratio; Hamstring Muscles - physiology; Humans; Isokinetic testing; Knee Joint - physiology; Knee joint stability; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength - physiology; Quadriceps Muscle - physiology; Resistance training; Resistance Training - methods; Aging; Knee joint stability; Resistance training; Conventional ratio; Functional ratio; Isokinetic testing
• ISSN: 1360-8592; 1532-9283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2017.09.023

The aim of this study was to investigate whether 12 weeks of leg press strength training exercise could affect the conventional and functional hamstring:quadriceps ratios in the elderly. Twelve elderly participants were submitted to a 12 week progressive training protocol (two sessions/week) using a 45° leg press exercise. A significant increase in the one repetition maximum was observed after 4, 8, and 12 weeks (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively) compared to week 0 and after 8 (p = 0.011) and 12 weeks (p = 0.001) compared to week 4. The concentric knee extensor peak torque was significantly higher at weeks 8 (p = 0.001) and 12 (p = 0.024) compared to week 0. There was no change in the concentric and eccentric knee flexor peak torques (p = 0.629 and 0.274, respectively) and conventional ratio (p > 0.314) after 12 weeks of training. The functional ratio (eccentric knee flexor peak torque:concentric knee extensor peak torque) reduced significantly after 8 (p = 0.034) and 12 (p = 0.036) weeks of strength training. Although the 45° leg press exercise requires knee extensor and flexor, hip extensor, and plantar flexor muscle strength, our findings suggest that the isolated use of the 45° leg press exercise reduces the knee functional ratio after 8 weeks of training. Therefore, 45° leg press exercise alone, without a hamstring exercise, should not be recommended for elderly individuals.