Objective: Evaluate the shoulder isokinetic strength of high-level female water polo players. Methods: Two groups were compared: a control group of noncompetitive females (n=10), and members of the French women's national water polo (n=18). Isokinetic measurements focused on the shoulder internal rotators (IR) and external rotators (ER), the evaluations were realized at 60°·s-1 and 240°·s-1 in the concentric mode and at 60°·s-1 in the eccentric mode. Agonist-antagonist ratios (ER/IR) were calculated using the same speed and contraction mode for the agonist and antagonist muscle groups and the mixed ratio, combining peak torque (PT; N·m) of the ER in the eccentric mode at 60°·s-1 and PT of the IR in the concentric mode at 240°·s-1, was calculated. Results: In concentric contraction, the PT of IR of the polo players was stronger than controls (P<0.05). In eccentric contraction the PT of ER were greater in water polo players (P<0.05). For the water polo players, a difference between both sides was observed when comparing the PT at 60°·s-1 (P<0.05). No significant difference was found through the agonist-antagonist ratios between the dominant and the nondominant shoulders in both groups. Some players exhibit an altered mixed ratio. Conclusion: Intensive engagement in playing water polo will lead to an asymmetry in terms of force, with a dominance of the internal rotors of the dominant shoulder.
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