Relationship of the knee muscle strength with the aerobic resistance of the amateur football player
Keywords:
Strength, knee, aerobic endurance, soccerAbstract
Introduction: Football is a team sport characterized by acyclic patterns that combine short, explosive movements. In this context, muscular strength plays a key role in sustaining prolonged periods of play, injury prevention, and athletic performance. Specifically, quadriceps strength is closely related to respiratory function, contributing to reduced mortality and ICU stay in clinical populations. From a physiological standpoint, increased strength is associated with mitochondrial adaptation, leading to greater ATP production, delayed fatigue, and a higher lactate threshold, which enhances performance during high-intensity efforts. Objectives: To establish normal values of knee muscle strength and to determine its relationship with aerobic endurance in amateur football players. Methods: This was a quantitative, non-experimental, observational, prospective, and cross-sectional study. A total of 84 amateur football players from different clubs in Tungurahua (Ecuador) participated. The sample was selected through non-probability convenience sampling, including players aged 20–40 years, with a height between 1.55 and 1.85 meters, normal BMI, Ecuadorian nationality, and mestizo ethnicity. Goalkeepers, players with recent injuries or relevant medical history were excluded. Knee muscle strength (flexion and extension) was measured using the Kinvent® dynamometer, following standardized protocols. Aerobic capacity was assessed using the Bruce protocol, and VO₂max was calculated using the corresponding formula. Results: Descriptive analysis indicated that demographic variables followed an approximately normal distribution. Knee strength values were lower than the ideal references (20.44 kgf in flexion and 23.54 kgf in extension), providing a basis for establishing population-specific reference ranges. Paired samples t-tests showed a statistically significant relationship (p = 0.001) between knee muscle strength and aerobic capacity. Conclusions: The study population presented knee strength levels below ideal values, highlighting the need to establish specific reference ranges for amateur footballers. A significant relationship between knee strength and aerobic endurance was confirmed. However, it is important to consider that the sensitivity of this relationship may be influenced by external, uncontrolled factors, which should be addressed in future research.
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