Interlimb Interaction at Different Angular Velocity in Isokinetic Knee Evaluation

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of angular velocity on the interlimb interaction induced by movement patterns. METHOD: Sixty healthy adult men performed five maximal isokinetic knee extension-flexion contractions in each of two contralateral leg stabilization conditions at different angular velocities. In the "Front condition", the test was done with a bar in front of the ankle joint of the non-testing leg. In the Fix condition", the non-testing leg was strapped and induced reciprocally to perform isometric contractions with respect to the testing leg. From the measured values, we calculated the strength difference ratio ([Peak Torque (PT) of "Fix condition"-PT of "Front condition"x100/PT of "Front condition") at each angular velocity. RESULT: By comparing the extensor strength, greater PTs were measured at the "Fix condition" in all tested angular velocities (p<0.01). For the flexor, the PTs of both conditions were similar. The strength difference ratio decreased as angular velocity increased (r=-0.48, p<0.01) in the extensor. CONCLUSION: We could infer the crossed extension-flexion reflex is more apparent in the lower angular velocity than in higher one.