A comparison of maximal torque levels of the different planes of movement of the shoulder-girdle complex for different types of sports

Abstract

It is often assumed that because different sports require specific skills, the torque levels differ from sport to sport. The purpose of this study was to establish whether there were significant differences in the maximal torque levels of the different planes of movement of the shoulder-girdle complex for different types of sport. The peak torque levels obtained in this study were also compared to those obtained in similar studies done for other sports. In the absence of torque norms for the shoulde-girdle complex for the average population as well as competitive athletes, a spin-off of this study was isokinetic torque values that may act as guidelines in generating norms for the different planes of movement in different types of sport. It was found that no difference existed for all planes of movement between cricket players and the non-athletic population. These two groups, however, differed significantly from the rugby players.


(S. African J. for Research in Sport, Physical Ed. and Recreation: 2002 24 (1): 17-28)