Isokinetics and Exercise Science - Volume 18, issue 1

Authors: Vithoulka, I. | Beneka, A. | Malliou, P. | Aggelousis, N. | Karatsolis, K. | Diamantopoulos, K.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of Kinesio Taping® on quadriceps strength at maximum concentric and eccentric isokinetic exercise mode in healthy non-athlete women in order to examine the Kinesio taping effect in increasing or decreasing the muscular quadriceps strength. Methods: Three different quadriceps taping modes have been used (no taping, placebo taping, Kinesio-Taping) for the study. and isokinetic concentric and eccentric strength assessments have been done for both …knee extensors and flexors. Results: One-way ANOVA for repeated measures revealed no significant differences in max concentric torque between the three different taping modes but significant differences in max eccentric torque during both the concentric and eccentric mode of the quadriceps muscle. Conclusion: The results suggest that application of Kinestio Taping on the anterior surface of the thigh, in the direction of vastus medialis, laterallis and rectus femoris fascia, could increase the eccentric muscle strength (isokinetic eccentric peak torque), in healthy adults. Show more

Keywords: Concentric exercise, eccentric exercise, isokinetic torque

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2010-0352

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 1-6, 2010

Authors: Bini, Rodrigo Rico | Rossato, Mateus | Diefenthaeler, Fernando | Carpes, Felipe P. | dos Reis, Diogo Cunha | Moro, Antônio Renato Pereira

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of small changes in pedaling cadence (20% higher and lower than the freely chosen) on hip, knee, and ankle mechanical parameters. Right pedal forces and lower limb kinematics of cyclists were measured with workload at 80% of peak power output, for three pedaling cadences (freely chosen cadence – FCC; 20% below the FCC – FCC −20%; and 20% higher than the FCC – FCC +20%). …Forces, kinematics and mechanical work were calculated for hip, knee and ankle joints. Knee joint mechanical work decreased at FCC +20% (55 ± 13 J, compared to FCC – 66 ± 11 J and to FCC −20% – 72 ± 7 J), while the contribution of each joint to the total mechanical work (TMW) was not affected by pedaling cadence. Joint forces were not influenced by pedaling cadence. Ankle joint angle increased (155 ± 3° compared to FCC – 152 ± 2° and to FCC −20%–149 ± 3°), while knee (59 ± 3° compared to FCC – 62 ± 2° and to FCC −20% – 64 ± 1°), and ankle (15 ± 4° compared to FCC – 18 ± 1° and to FCC −20% – 20 ± 2°) range of motion (ROM) decreased at FCC +20%. The effects of pedaling cadence on joint mechanical work and kinematics indicate that the FCC does not minimize joint mechanical work and force production for all lower limb joints. The knee joint tunes the power production by the mechanical work while the ankle function seems to be dependent on joint kinematics when pedaling cadence is increased. Show more

Keywords: Ankle, coordination, kinematics, inverse dynamics, pedal force

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2010-0361

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 7-13, 2010

Authors: Denadai, Benedito Sérgio | Corvino, Rogério Bulhões | Greco, Camila Coelho

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the effects of high intensity running exercise on the strength of the knee extensors at concentric and eccentric conditions in individuals with different training background. Sixteen physically active (SED), 11 endurance-trained (ET) and 7 strength-trained (ST) subjects volunteered to participate in the study. Initially each subject performed, on different days, one familiarization session on an isokinetic dynamometer and an incremental treadmill test to …volitional exhaustion to determine the velocity at the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). The subjects then returned to the laboratory on two experimental sessions, separated by at least five days, to perform maximal isokinetic eccentric (E) and concentric (C) contractions of the quadriceps at 180°/s. One session was performed after a standardized warm-up period (5 min at 50%V VO_{2} max) and the other session was performed after a continuous running at 95% OBLA. The duration of this session was estimated to a caloric expenditure around 500 Kcal. Following this high intensity exercise there was a significant reduction in the peak torque in E in all groups. The percent strength loss in E following the running exercise was statistically higher in ST (16.5%) when compared to SED (6.5%) and ET (7.2%). We thus conclude that the reduction in isokinetic peak torque of the knee extensors after a session of high intensity running exercise at 95% OBLA depends on the contraction type and training background. Show more

Keywords: Concentric, eccentric, aerobic exercise, fatigue

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2010-0362

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 15-21, 2010

Authors: Edouard, Pascal | Castells, Josiane | Calmels, Paul | Roche, Frédéric | Degache, Francis

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Although there have been many studies on isokinetic shoulder exercises in evaluation and rehabilitation programs, the cardiovascular and metabolic responses of those modes of muscle strength exercises have been poorly investigated. Objective: To analyze cardiovascular and metabolic responses during a standardized test used to study the internal (IR) and external (ER) rotators maximal isokinetic strength. Methods: Four days after an incremental exercise test on cycle ergometer, ten healthy subjects performed an isokinetic shoulder strength evaluation with …cardiovascular (Heart rate, HR) and metabolic gas exchange (�O_{2} ) analysis. The IR and ER isokinetic strength, measured in seated position with 45° of shoulder abduction in scapular plane, was evaluated concentrically at 60, 120 and 240°/s and eccentrically at 60°/s, for both shoulder sides. An endurance test with 30 repetitions at 240°/s was performed at the end of each shoulder side testing. Results: There was a significant increase of mean HR with isokinetic exercise (P< 0.05). Increases of HR was 42–71% over the resting values. During endurance testing, increases of HR was 77–105% over the resting values, and corresponded to 85–86% of the maximal HR during incremental test. Increase of �O_{2} during isokinetic exercises was from 6–11 ml/min/kg to 20–43 ml/min/kg. Conclusion: This study performed significant cardiovascular and metabolic responses to isokinetic exercise of rotators shoulder muscles. A warm-up should be performed before maximal high-intensity isokinetic shoulder testing. Our results indicated that observation and supervision are important during testing and/or training sessions, especially in subjects with risk for cardiovascular disorders. Show more

Keywords: Shoulder, heart rate, �O_{2} , isokinetic, rotators strength testing

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2010-0363

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 23-29, 2010

Authors: Hadzic, Vedran | Sattler, Tine | Markovic, Goran | Veselko, Matjaz | Dervisevic, Edvin

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Knowledge of lower-extremity strength can be used in injury prevention, conditioning and rehabilitation of volleyball players. The goals were: (1) to describe the bilateral concentric and eccentric quadriceps (Q) and hamstrings (H) muscle function in volleyball players, (2) to evaluate the differences in Q and H strength, strength ratios and bilateral strength asymmetry among age groups, playing positions and playing levels, (3) to compare bilateral strength asymmetry in Q and H muscles in two different …contraction modes. Ninety five professional male volleyball players were tested on an isokinetic machine at 60°/s to assess concentric and eccentric Q and H strength. We also calculated strength ratios and bilateral strength asymmetries. MANOVAs indicated significant main effect of playing level on relative PT (p=0.001) and strength ratios (p< 0.05). International-level players had significantly (p< 0.05) higher H strength and dynamic control ratio (DCR) of the right leg compared to the 1st and/or 2nd national division players. There were no signs of bilateral strength asymmetry regardless of muscle group tested and contraction mode. Our results suggest that right H strength and DCR could be important for successful volleyball performance. Descriptive data about Q and H muscle function can be used as guidelines for coaches and therapists during training and rehabilitation of male volleyball players. Show more

Keywords: Volleyball, strength, isokinetics, strength ratios

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2010-0365

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 31-37, 2010

Authors: Karacan, Selma | Cetin, Ferihan | Colakoglu, F. Filiz

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Exercise increases the generation of oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation. The aim of this study was to investigate the oxidant and antioxidant status in sedentary middle-aged (36.8 ± 5.4 years, n=20) and postmenopausal women (51.4 ± 3.3 years, n=11) before and after acute calisthenic exercise. Both subject groups performed an acute calisthenic exercise for 55 minutes. The intensity of the exercise was 60–70% of maximal heart rate, as determined by Karvonen et al. Plasma malondialdehyde …(MDA), gluathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (AA) and nitric oxide (NOx) levels were determined spectrophotometrically. The postmenopausal group's pre-exercise MDA levels were high and GSH levels were low, compared with those of the middle aged group. This result indicated increased lipid peroxidation after menopause. In both groups, plasma MDA levels and NOx levels increased and plasma AA levels decreased following calisthenic exercise. The present study indicates for the first time that plasma MDA levels increase significantly after a bout of acute calisthenic exercise, involving all large muscle groups at 60–70% of maximal heart rate while plasma AA levels decrease concurrently. These effects may be due to increased lipid peroxidation in both middle aged and postmenopausal women. The finding of low plasma GSH levels and high plasma MDA levels in the postmenopausal group suggests the possible development of a disturbance in the oxidant and antioxidant status after menopause. Reduced levels of AA following acute calisthenic exercise might indicate the consumption of plasma antioxidants protecting the plasma lipids against the damage of lipid peroxidation. Show more

Keywords: Acute exercise, menopause, oxidant, antioxidant

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2010-0366

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 39-44, 2010

Authors: Blacker, Sam D. | Fallowfield, Joanne L. | Bilzon, James L.J. | Willems, Mark E.T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the within-day and between-days reproducibility of isokinetic parameters of knee, shoulder and trunk movements. Ten healthy males (age 30 ± 8 years, height 1.79 ± 0.05 m, body mass 79.4 ± 8.3 kg) performed isokinetic concentric contractions (knee: 60 and 180°/s; shoulder: 60 and 180°/s: and; trunk: 15 and 60°/s) at 0 (baseline), 2, 24, 48 and 72 hours. Reproducibility of the baseline peak moment, mean peak moment …and maximum work was assessed using Bland and Altman limits of agreement and pre-planned paired t-tests (P< 0.05). Peak moment of knee, trunk and shoulder extensors at low velocities had highest reproducibility within and between days over a time period of 3 days. Peak moment at high and low velocities of knee extensors was consistently the most reliable parameter over a 3 day period. It is concluded that isokinetic parameters can be reproducibly measured in a combined session of knee, shoulder and trunk movements in healthy male subjects over a 3-day time period. Show more

Keywords: Dynamometry, reproducibility, torque, extension, flexion, muscle

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2010-0367

Citation: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 45-55, 2010