Industrial Torque Levels by Age Group and Gender

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Freedson, Patty S.^* | Gilliam, Thomas B.^{**; ***} | Mahoney, Teresa^**** | Maliszewski, Ann F.^***** | Kastango, Kari^******

Note: [*] University of Massachusetts, Department of Exercise Science, Boyden Gym, Amherst, MA 01003.

Note: [**] Injury Reduction Technology, Inc., 110 W. Streetsboro Street, Suite 2A, Hudson, OH 44236.

Note: [***] Address reprint requests to Thomas B. Gilliam, PhD, Injury Reduction Technology, Inc., 110 W. Streetsboro Street, Suite 2A, Hudson, OH 44236.

Note: [****] Injury Reduction Technology, Inc., 110 W. Streetsboro Street, Suite 2A, Hudson, OH 44236.

Note: [*****] University of Massachusetts, Department of Exercise Science, Boyden Gym, Amherst, MA 01003.

Note: [******] University of Massachusetts, Department of Exercise Science, Boyden Gym, Amherst, MA 01003.

Abstract: Torque measures were compiled from 4,541 men and women (17 to 62 years of age) as pre-employment and job advancement screening in various industries. Cybex dynamometers measured flexion and extension of the knees (30, 180, and 300 deg/sec, where 1 deg/sec = 0.01745 rad/sec) and shoulders (60 and 180 deg/sec), and back extension (60 deg/sec). Percentile scores are reported by age and gender. Torque differences between genders across ages suggested a faster strength loss in women. For example, women over 50 years of age had 22% lower torque than women 41 to 50 years of age, whereas men demonstrated a corresponding 9% difference. Flexion/extension ratios increased with speed in both genders for the knee, but not for the shoulder. These data may be useful for comparative purposes in strength evaluations used in clinical settings (i.e., injury prevention and rehabilitation), as well as for screening in the industrial setting.

Keywords: Isokinetic assessment, screening, industrial workers

DOI: 10.3233/IES-1993-3105

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 34-42, 1993