Affiliations: [a] Physical Education School, Federal University of Rio
Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil | [b] Fullerton College, Fullerton, CA, USA | [c] College of Physical Education and Exercise Science,
University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil | [d] California State University, Fullerton, CA, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Cassio Victora Ruas, Physical Education
School, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, UFRGS, Felizardo Street, 750
– Jardim Botânico 90690-200 Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil. Tel.: +55 5133085894;
Fax: +55 5133085843; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Independent peak torque (IPT) ratios may lead to
misinterpretation of shoulder rotator imbalances. OBJECTIVE: To compare shoulder rotator IPT conventional ratio (CR) and dynamic control ratio (DCR)
with ten-degree angle specific torque (AST) CR and DCR. METHODS: Twenty healthy adult males (24.65 ± 2.4 yrs) performed concentric (C) and
eccentric (E) internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) of the right
shoulder on an isokinetic dynamometer at 60°/s and 180°/s through
150° of ROM. RESULTS: IPT DCR was significantly different than
AST DCR at several angles at both test speeds. IPT CR were not significantly
different than any AST CR at either speed. The last 3 ten degree AST DCR were
also compared. AST DCR was significantly different at two angles at
60°/s and at three angles at 180°/s. CONCLUSION: DCR analysis should use a ten degree AST interpretative approach in order to avoid
erroneous interpretations of shoulder rotator strength imbalances. IPT ratio
tests should only be used to calculate CR.
