摘要：The main aim of this study was to characterize the muscle strength profile the shoulder external and internal rotators and the knee flexors and extensors in elite Serbian male Karate athletes. The second aim was to compare the muscle strength between the hamstrings and quadriceps in male karate athletes of different age groups.The sample was composed of three groups of male karate athletes. First group included seniors (24.1±3.72), the second-juniors (17.6±0.84) and the third group was composed of cadets (15.85±0.69).The following isokinetic parameters were used in the research: Maximal force of right leg extensors (Right_Ext), Maximal force of left leg extensors (Left_Ext), Maximal force of right leg flexors (Right_Flx), Maximal force of left leg flexors (Left_Flx), Maximal force of external rotation of the right arm (Right_Ext_Rot), Maximal force of external rotation of the left arm (Left_Ext_Rot), Maximal force of internal rotation of the right arm (Right_Int_Rot), Maximal force of internal rotation of the left arm (Left_Int_Rot). Based on the discriminant analysis, all variables significantly contribute to the difference between the groups, except maximal force of internal rotation of the right arm. We found that the seniors significantly differ from the cadets in all parameters, and the difference is in favour of seniors (p≤0.05). Seniors and juniors differ in maximal force of left leg extensors, maximal force of right leg flexors, maximal force of internal rotation of the left arm and maximal force of external rotation of the left arm. Juniors and cadets differ in maximal force of left leg flexors and maximal force of internal rotation of the left arm, the difference is in favour of juniors. To conclude, the lower and upper limbs' isokinetic parameters were significantly higher in the senior compared junior and cadet group. Since only elite competitors were tested, the findings could be of importance for both the selection and training design of karate athletes.
