Peak torque, average power, and hamstrings/quadriceps ratios in nondisabled adults and adults with mental retardation

Objective: To compare isokinetic hamstring and quadriceps peak torque (Nm), average power (watts), and corresponding hamstring/quadriceps (HQ) ratios (as percentages) of adult men with Down syndrome (DS), with mental retardation without Down syndrome (NDS), and nondisabled sedentary controls (SC). Design: Repeated measures analysis of variance. Setting: Subjects were tested at a university exercise science laboratory. Subjects: Volunteer sample of 35 subjects: SC (n = 13), DS (n = 9), and NDS (n = 13). Intervention: Subjects performed isokinetic strength tests at 60 degrees/sec and 90 degrees/sec using gravity effected torque procedures. Subjects with DS and NDS performed the test on two separate days with best results selected for statistical comparisons. Sedentary controls performed the test once. Main Outcome Measures: Isokinetic hamstring and quadriceps peak torque and average power, and corresponding HQ ratios on a Cybex 340 isokinetic dynamometer. Results: In all isokinetic parameters measured, sedentary controls demonstrated significantly higher scores than subjects with DS and NDS. There was no significant difference between subjects with DS and NDS, although mean peak torque and average power scores were greater in subjects with NDS. Finally, there were no significant differences in peak torque and average power HQ ratios across groups (p > .01 ), although group mean peak torque HQ ratios were greatest for sedentary controls (range = 61% to 63%) and approximated accepted HQ ratio norms, and lowest for subjects with DS (range = 40% to 46%). Conclusions: Individuals with mental retardation are in need of progressive resistance exercise programs to improve hamstring and quadriceps strength and normalize HQ strength and power ratios. (C) 1996 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation