Table 3. Peak torque (means and standard deviations) for knee extensors and flexors of the soccer players at pre-measurement assessments.

The results of the present study support the belief that isokinetic testing can provide safe and accurate information for the knee joint muscular performance on which an injury prediction can be based. Thirteen of the 35 soccer players appeared to have deficits and/or imbalances in knee joint muscles, corroborating the statement that muscle imbalances are frequently found in soccer players suffering recurrent injuries (Inklaar, 1994). The isokinetic knee flexor/extensor balance is reported to play an important role in joint stabilization and might be an injury factor if the ratio is abnormal (Stafford and Grana, 1984). It could even predict injury risk (Brown, 2000).