| Muscle Balance |
| - Muscle balance is the strength, power, or endurance of one muscle or muscle group relative to another muscle or muscle group. Historical Background - Performance would be diminished if all the muscles of the athlete were not developed proportionally. Concerns in Rehabilitation - A certain percentage of pre-injury muscle strength must be prior to advancing the athlete to the next level of rehabilitation or returning the athlete to activity. Muscle Balance Ratios Agonist-Antagonist Ratios for Slow Concentric Isokinetic Movements Joint Strength training Torque ratio Ankle Plantar flexion/dorsiflexion 3;1 Ankle Inversion/eversion 1;1 Knee Extension/flexion 3;2 Hip Extension flexion 1;1 Shoulder Flexion/extension 2;3 Shoulder Internal/external rotation 3;2 Elbow Flexion/extension 1;1 Lumbar spine Flexion/extension 1;1 Concerns in Resistance Training - It is helpful to know the strengths and weaknesses of joints and muscle groups – as general trends and for individual athletes – when assigning frequency and volume of exercises Incorporating Muscle Balance in Program Design - A well-designed program includes exercises for all the major muscle groups. |