SECTION I - KINESIOLOGY / RESEARCH PAPER
Normative Concentric Knee Torque Values and Performance Categories in Male Soccer Players Aged 15–17 Years
 
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1
Faculty of Sports and Exercise Science, University of Central Lancashire, Pyla, Cyprus.
 
2
Department of Psychology, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.
 
3
Department of Sports Recreation and Wellness, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, India.
 
4
Research Institute, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital-Research Institute in Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
 
5
Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal.
 
 
Submission date: 2025-12-13
 
 
Final revision date: 2026-04-07
 
 
Acceptance date: 2026-07-24
 
 
Online publication date: 2026-11-12
 
 
Corresponding author
Koulla Parpa   

Sports Science, UCLan University, University Avenue 12-14, 7080, Pyla -Larnaca, Cyprus
 
 
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Isokinetic dynamometry is widely used to evaluate knee strength and muscular balance, yet normative benchmarks for late-adolescent soccer players are lacking. The present study establishes comprehensive age-specific reference values for concentric quadriceps and hamstring torque performance in male soccer players aged 15–17 years tested at both 60°·s−1 and 300°·s−1 using a HUMAC Norm dynamometer. The 60°·s−1 testing included 502 players (15 years, n = 106; 16 years, n = 175; 17 years, n = 221), while the 300°·s−1 testing was performed on a voluntary subsample of 260 players (15 years, n = 49; 16 years, n = 74; 17 years, n = 137) drawn from the same cohort. Torque was expressed in absolute (Nm) and body-mass normalized (Nm∙kg−1) values, converted into z-scores and T-scores [T = 50 + (10 × z)], and classified into performance categories ranging from very low to very high. Age effects were tested with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). It was indicated that across all age groups, most players (60–74%) showed average torque performance, with smaller proportions classified as high (9–19%), low (10–17%), very high (<5%), and very low (<3%). Mean values (at 60°·s−1 ) increased from the age of 15 to 16 and plateaued by the age of 17, suggesting near-mature neuromuscular development. Until now, these data provide one of the largest age-specific benchmarks available for late adolescent soccer players, addressing a gap between existing pediatric and adult reference standards. These dual-velocity normative datasets provide unique reference bands that enable precise classification of performance, aiding in screening, load monitoring and rehabilitation.
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