Interlimb interaction and stabilization of contralateral leg in isokinetic knee evaluation

Abstract

To determine if peak torque (PT) production during isokinetic knee testing is affected by the stabilization and movement patterns of the contralateral leg.

DESIGN: Repeated measure design.

INTERVENTION AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Thirty subjects participated in comparing the force outputs in relation to the movement pattern of both legs. Another group of 45 subjects volunteered to perform five maximal isokinetic extension-flexion contractions in each of three different knee testing conditions: (1) without stabilization of the contralateral leg; (2) with a bar in front of the ankle joint of the contralateral leg; (3) with the contralateral leg strapped just above the level of the malleoli and the muscles of that leg induced reciprocally to perform isometric contractions with respect to the testing leg. PT was used to compare the strength of three different conditions.

RESULTS: Significantly greater PT was measured when the contralateral leg of the subject was fixed and induced to contract reciprocally.

CONCLUSION: More rigorous standardization of isokinetic strength testing procedures is needed due to differences in PT production of knee muscles according to the stabilization and movement pattern of the contralateral leg.