Analysis on the characteristics and relationships of lower limbs strength and power of sailors in different positions and levels

Abstract

Hikers and trapeze sailors are two main Olympic groups based on their specific role during sail racing. This study was to analyze the characteristics and relationships of lower limbs strength and power of hikers and trapeze sailors with different levels. Forty-five hikers and trapeze sailors were divided into high-level and low-level groups, respectively. The isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure sailors’ lower limbs strength. Concentric and eccentric peak torque (PT) were measured for hamstrings and quadriceps at 60°/s, and isometric knee extensions at 45° knee flexion (0° = full extension). The counter movement jump (CMJ) was performed by Kistler to reflect sailors’ lower limbs power. The results showed the hikers had higher quadriceps isometric PT, and male hikers had higher concentric and eccentric PT compared to trapeze sailors (p<0.05). For female sailors, the quadriceps’ concentric, eccentric and isometric PT of high-level group were higher than low-level group’ (p<0.05). The sailors’ conventional and functional H/Q ratio ranged from 0.44 to 0.56 and 0.52 to 0.65, respectively. High-level and low-level groups had no difference in CMJ, which was moderately to strongly correlated with the isokinetic strength (r ranging 0.50–0.81, p<0.01). These findings suggest that long-term training can induce specificity in lower limbs strength of sailors. Hikers have better quadriceps isometric strength compared to trapeze sailors. The quadriceps concentric and eccentric PT can be used as parameters to distinguish between high-level and low-level sailors, but CMJ cannot.