The bilateral leg strength deficit is present in old, young and adolescent females during isokinetic knee extension and flexion.

The bilateral limb deficit (BLD) describes the difference in maximal or near maximal force generating capacity of muscles when they are contracted alone or in combination with the contralateral muscles. A deficit occurs when the summed unilateral force is greater than the bilateral force. This study examined the presence of the BLD during isokinetic knee extensions and flexions in a group of adolescent females (n=8, mean of 15+/-1 years) and compared with previously reported data by this researcher of adult and older females. Data were collected from subjects during slow (45 deg/s) isokinetic knee extensions and flexions and it was found that a BLD exists during both extension and flexion regardless of age. Furthermore, this study is the first to examine the presence of the deficit in an adolescent population. Myoelectric signal (MES) data showed that there is no difference between bilateral and unilateral isokinetic knee extensions and flexions regardless of age group.