Isokinetic muscular performance of the quadriceps in elite ice hockey players

On four occasions during a period of 17 months, isokinetic maximum knee extensor output (peak torque and contractional work) and input (integrated electromyographic activity) during single and repetitive contractions were measured in 10 male elite ice hockey players. The tests were performed in the middle and at the end of the competitive season, and after two office training periods involving different types of training. No significant changes in peak torque at single maximum contractions occurred for the whole group of players during the investigation. Nor did the slope of decline in contractional work or the plateau level of the ratio of contractional work:integrated electromyographic activity during repetitive contractions change significantly. The most obvious finding was great interindividual differences in muscular performance. Intraindividually, changes in both peak torque as well as in slope of decline in contractional work and in plateau level of the ratio of contractional work:integrated electromyographic activity occurred during the different training periods. We conclude that local muscle adaptations, measured by isokinetic procedures, occur in the quadriceps as a result of ordinary training and games in elite ice hockey players. Because of the great interindividual differences in muscular performance and the different responses to similar training, we suggest individual programs for leg muscle training in ice hockey players.