ANALYSIS OF MUSCLE STRENGTH USING A DYNAMOMETER IN WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM

Purpose: There is a need for objective movement analysis in professional sport. The aim of the work was to perform a dynamometric analysis in order to determine the muscular strength of a female professional cycling team. Basic procedures: The material comprised five female athletes from the TKK Pacific professional cycling team. A Primus RS dynamometer was used to measure isometric muscle strength before and after a maximal exercise stress test performed using Ultima PFX CardiO2 system and 12-channel wireless Mortara ECG. During dynamometry, isometric examination was performed of the flexion and extension of the right and left knee joint muscles, as well as right and left hip joint muscles. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2010 and Statistica v.10. p= 0.05 was accepted as the level of statistical significance. Main findings: No significant differences in muscle strength were found between the analyses performed before and after the strength tests. However, decreases or increases in muscle strength were confirmed in individual athletes, and advice was given regarding changes in training. Strength imbalances related to the antagonistic muscles of the lower limbs were observed in the case of three athletes. Conclusion: The objective analysis of muscle strength, as well as the provision of individual examination protocols and interpretation of the results may personalize the training process and reduce the risk of overloads on the musculoskeletal system.