Errors in the use of isokinetic dynamometers
- 1 July 1981
- journal article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in European Journal of Applied Physiology
- Vol. 46 (4), 397-408
- https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00422127
Abstract
The use of constant velocity dynamometers in functional testing and in exercise and therapy programs has been increasing in the past few years. For movements in the horizontal plane there are no gravitational errors. However, in vertical movements the limbs are not only working against the dynamometer but also are either aided or opposed by gravity. Far too often these gravitational forces have not been taken into account, and the error involved can be quite large. A study on four subjects using knee extension (against gravity) and flexion (with gravity) showed the error in mechanical work to vary from 26–43% in extension and from 55–510% in flexion. A relatively simple solution is offered to overcome the problem by compensating for the gravitational errors over the full range of movement. The time course of the error is such as to cause erroneous magnitudes of recorded moments which are a maximum at low level contractions and minimum at high level contractions. The effect of gravitational and other acceleration errors are such as to cause false early peaks in the muscle moment curves resulting in erroneous conclusions about muscle function.Keywords
This publication has 9 references indexed in Scilit:
- Skeletal muscle metabolism, morphology and function in sedentary smokers and nonsmokersActa Physiologica Scandinavica, 1979
- Torque-velocity relationships and muscle fiber composition in elite female athletesJournal of Applied Physiology, 1979
- Adaptations in skeletal muscle following strength trainingJournal of Applied Physiology, 1979
- Muscle strength and power changes during maximal isokinetic training.1978
- Muscle force-velocity and power-velocity relationships under isokinetic loading.1978
- Fatiguability and Fibre Composition of Human Skeletal MuscleActa Physiologica Scandinavica, 1976
- Force-velocity relations and fiber composition in human knee extensor musclesJournal of Applied Physiology, 1976
- A Study of Isokinetic ExercisePTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, 1969
- Isokinetic contraction: a new concept of resistive exercise.1967