The objective of the present study was to evaluate the muscular balance of knee flexors and extensors (RFE) in under-20 soccer players during a training season. 15 under-20 subjects from the Ponte Preta Athletic Association of Campinas participated in a 29 week macrocycle preparation (MP), composed of preparatory and competitive periods which were divided into four mesocycles: general stage (M1), special stage (M2), pre-competitive stage (M3) and competitive stage (M4). RFE of both members was determined with the torque peak (TP) obtained in isokinetic dynamometer in three consecutive sets of five repetitions of 60 degrees/s. Isokinetic evaluation was accomplished in four stages along the MP at the end of each mesocycle (M1, M2, M3, and M4). Statistic analysis was performed using the Friedman test with repeated measures, followed by Wilcoxon test and Mann-Whitney U test, with significance level of p<0.05. TP of knee flexors muscles in both members were greater in M2 and M3 than in M1 and M4. TP of knee extensors in M1 was significantly inferior than the other stages of the study (M2, M3, and M4), in both members. RFE, in both members, was inferior in M1 when compared to M2 and M3. RFE comparison among members did not reveal significant differences in any moment of the study (M1, M2, M3, and M4). The results indicated the existence of alterations in the size of RFE; within normality though, and maintenance of the proportionality among members along the MP. These results suggest that there are not sensitive periods to the occurrence of injuries due to muscular imbalances along MP in under-20 soccer players.
isokinetic evaluation; agonist; antagonist; training
