Isokinetic strength of knee extensors and flexors in the middle- and old- age men
Resource
中華民國物理治療學會雜誌 v.19 n.2 pp.116-125
Journal
中華民國物理治療學會雜誌,v.19
Journal Issue
n.2
Pages
116-125
Date Issued
1994
Date
1994
Author(s)
CHEN, CHAO-YING
CHAI, HUEI-MING
LAI, JIN-SHIN
JAN, MEI-HWA
Abstract
Clinically, isokinetic dynamometer has been increasingly used to evaluate and strengthen muscular performance in past thirty years. In Taiwan, normative isokinetic strength data has been established by many investigators. However, these investigations are generally focused on athletes and young persons. Therefore, improving our understanding of aged people in isokinetic muscular performance is needed. The purpose of this study was (1) to provide clinicians with data on the isokinetic strength and endurance of knee extensor and flexor muscles in three age groups: 20-29 years old, 40- 49 years old, 60-69 years old, (2) to compare the differences of knee extensor and flexor strength and endurance among those three age group. Thirty healthy male subjects without any neurological or orthopaedic disorders participated this study. The subjects were categorized into three groups. Each group had 10 subjects. The mean age of group one was 23.4 years, group two was 44. 3 years, and group three was 62.6 years. The muscle strength of bilateral quadriceps and hamstrings were assessed with Cybex 350 isokinetic dynamometer at the speed of 60, 240 degree/ second with 5 repetitions and endurance test were assessed at the speed of 180 degree/ second with 25 repetitions. The results revealed that age had an significant effect on the peak torque(PT) and peak torque to body weight ratio(PT/BW ). The old-age group had significant decreasing of PT and PT /BW than middle-age and young group. The PT of knee extensor in middle- age was 85-95% of the young group, and the PT of knee extensor in old- age was 65-75% of the young proup. In flexor, the middle-age was similar to the young group, and the old-age group was 75-85 % of the young group. There were no significant differences in bilateral deficit --( dominant PT - nondominant PT)/dominant PT, hamstring to quadriceps ratio- - H/Q, and endurance test between three groups. It was concluded that bilateral deficit, H/Q and endurance test were not affected by age. It is recommended that PT and PT/BW are not suitable to use in clinic as base-line data for older patients, and the values of bilateral deficit, H/Q and endurance test older patients with knee disabilities.