Correlation between isokinetic lower-limb joint strength and joint stiffness in young college runners postprint

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between isokinetic lower-limb joint strength and joint stiffness during running in young college runners.Thirty-four male recreational runners were recruited.The knee/ankle joint stiffness at 10 and 12 km/h,and knee/ankle joint flexors and extensors peak torque(PT)at 60°/s and 180°/s were measured by using a 3D motion capture system and a split-belt instrumented treadmill,and an isokinetic strength test and training system,respectively.Correlations between isokinetic knee joint PT and knee joint stiffness and between isokinetic ankle joint PT and ankle joint stiffness were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients corrected by Benjamini-Hochberg.The results are as follows:The knee flexors concentric/eccentric PT at 60°/s and 180°/s were moderately to largely positively correlated with knee joint stiffness; the ankle dorsiflexors eccentric PT at 60°/s was moderately to largely positively correlated with ankle joint stiffness; the knee extensors and ankle plantar flexors PT were not significantly correlated with knee and ankle joint stiffness.Therefore,recreational runners with greater knee flexors and ankle dorsiflexors eccentric strength exhibit greater knee and ankle joint stiffness during running.