Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Therapy, Sackler Faculty of
Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel | [b] Zinman College of Physical Education, Netanya,
Israel
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Prof. Zeevi Dvir, Department of
Physical Therapy, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
69978. Tel.: +97236405429; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: The objective of this study was to find out whether the use of
multiple velocity (30, 60, 90 and 120°/s) isokinetic as well as a
single angle isometric testing was justified for assessing unilateral muscular
weakness. Twenty one unilateral knee patients (16 men, 5 women), mostly with
ACL pathology, with a mean post-injury time of 36 ± 33 m, were conveniently
sampled. All patients filled in a functional questionnaire which indicated good
recovery. The relative weakness of the involved (I) side was determined using
the uninvolved (U) side as reference. Patients were also asked to rank the
difficulty in performing the tests. The mean (based on the 4 velocities)
eccentric weakness (19.7%) was significantly higher than in both the
concentric (14.9%) or the isomteric (13.9%) modes. However within either
the concentric or eccentric modes no between-velocity differences were noted.
Side dominance had a significant effect on quadriceps weakness in all test
modes. In conclusion, and with respect to the specific patient group, the use
of one or, at most, two test velocities is sufficient to portray muscular
insufficiency.
