The effects of body position and stabilization on isokinetic torque ratios for the shoulder rotators

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hartsell, H.D.^a

Affiliations: [a] Physical Therapy Graduate Program, 2600 Steindler Building, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-1008, USA Tel.: +1 319 335-9805; Fax: +1 319 335-9707; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Body position and stabilization is a controversial issue for shoulder rotational testing in the scapular plane. The purposes were to determine the effects of body position on the external/internal rotation (ER/IR) ratios and how closely they approximated previously reported ratios. Twenty-two healthy, informed subjects participated in test-retest isokinetic sessions involving two body positions (seated, standing), two rotational joint motions (external,internal), three velocities (60,120,180 dgs) and two contraction types (concentric, eccentric). Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.89--0.93. A three-way ANOVA with repeated measures, used to analyze the data for contraction type separately, showed significant effects (p < 0.000) for body position regardless of body position. Concentrically, significant effects were observed for gender (p<0.018), velocity (p < 0.000) and body position x velocity x gender (p < 0.003). It was concluded that use of the standing position with adequate stabilization is viable and perhaps more applicable to activities of daily living. Secondly, the `acceptable' ER/IR ratios (0.6--0.7) previously defined should be extended to 0.5--0.7 to allow for varying joint and body positioning.

Keywords: scapular plane, external/internal rotation, concentric/eccentric, ratios

DOI: 10.3233/IES-1998-0032

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 161-170, 1998