Validez y fiabilidad de los ratios de fuerza isocinética para la estimación de desequilibrios musculares

Several isokinetic strength ratios (bilateral and unilateral) of the knee have been extensively used: (i) to identify possible anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and hamstring strain injury risk factors; (ii) to monitor the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs; and (iii) to determine if an athlete is able to return safely to training and competition sessions after finishing a specific rehabilitation program. However, the precision of these isokinetic strength ratios to evaluate muscle imbalances has been accepted based on theoretical and empirical knowledge, and less based on the scientific evidence regarding their validity and reliability. The purposes of this literature review were: (1) to analyse and compare the validity and reliability of unilateral and bilateral isokinetic strength ratios of the knee for estimating and monitoring possible muscle imbalances; as well as (2) to report cut-off values to categorize the muscle function as normal or with significantly high injury risk. A total of 13 scientific studies fulfilled all the previously established inclusion and exclusion criteria. After analysing all the studies, it was possible to conclude that: (i) very few studies have analysed the validity and reliability of bilateral and unilateral (conventional and functional) isokinetic strength ratios of the knee to identify muscle imbalances; (ii) a bilateral imbalance lower than 10-15% and unilateral imbalances lower than 20-40% could be an appropriate cut-off score to reduce the likelihood of developing hamstring strains and ACL injuries; (iii) the isokinetic strength ratios of the knee appear to present moderate absolute reliability scores (standard error of the measurement <15%); and (iv) more studies are needed to determine the validity and reliability of the isokinetic strength ratios of the knee in different sport modalities.