Age-dependent Knee Joint Isokinetic Profile in Professional Male Soccer Players

Abstract

Background: The knee-joint isokinetic profile (KJIP) injury risk factor may be modulated by chronological age, however, comparative data for elite male soccer players aged 25 years and older is lacking. Objective: To describe and compare the knee-joint isokinetic profile (KJIP) according to the chronological age of professional male soccer players. Method: In a cross-sectional study design, sixty-three soccer athletes from the first Chilean soccer division (A-series) were divided into younger and older groups (age ≤ 25 years; n = 35 and age > 25 years; n = 28, respectively). In both groups the IPKJ was assessed at 60°.s-1 in concentric mode. Results: The older group had lower extensor peak torque (p < .05). The younger group showed correlations between flexors peak torque and extensors mean power (p < .001). In the older group, flexors peak torque and flexors mean power were correlated. The flexors peak torque, total work, and mean power symmetric index (SI) exhibited values > 10 % for both groups. The extensors SI showed values > 10 % for mean power, although only in the older group. Conclusion: Several differences in the KJIP were noted between professional male soccer players aged ≤ 25 years and > 25 years. Current results offer injury prevention insights, discussed in the current manuscript.