Affiliations: [a] School of Exercise, Biomedical and Health Sciences,
Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Western Australia 6027,
Australia
Abstract: This study verified the eccentric torque-velocity relationship of
human elbow flexors by considering muscle damage induced in maximal eccentric
torque measurements. Twenty subjects (26.4 ± 6.2 yrs) were tested twice,
separated by 7 days, for maximal voluntary isometric torque at 90° (1.57
rad) of elbow flexion (ISO) and isokinetic eccentric torque (ECC) at velocities
of 30°·s^{-1} followed by 90°, 150°,
210°·s^{-1}, and a repeated
30°·s^{-1} using a range of movement from 60°
to 140° (180°: full extension). ISO preceded each ECC measure to assess
the effects of muscle damage and/or fatigue on the measures. The difference in
ECC at 30°·s^{-1} between the first and second
attempts was used to adjust the torque values. The reliability of the
measurements was supported by high intra-class correlation coefficient
(0.96–0.99) and low coefficient of variation (6.3–9.1%). Peak ECC
at all velocities were significantly (p < 0.05) greater than ISO
(14–16%), but no significant differences were evident among velocities.
The second ECC at 30°·s^{-1} was significantly (p
< 0.05) lower (∼10%). than the first, and ISO decreased significantly (p
< 0.05) over the measurements (∼10%). Following adjustment, no
significant differences in ECC torque among velocities were still evident. It
is concluded that eccentric torque is approximately 15% higher than isometric
torque without influence of angular velocity for the elbow flexors.
