Isokinetics and Exercise Science   Issue: Volume 12, Number 2 / 2004   Pages: 99 - 104   URL: Linking Options Knee angle does not affect ankle eversion to inversion peak torque ratios derived from an isokinetic dynamometer

Gary Keith Porter and Thomas W. Kaminski A1 Athletic Training/ Sports Medicine Research Laboratory, 105D Florida Gymnasium, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. Tel.: +1 352 334 5000 x5362; E-mail: gkp@ufl.eduA2 University of Delaware, Department of Health, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences, Human Performance Laboratory, Fred Rust Ice Arena, 541 South College Avenue, Newark, DE 19716, USA. Tel.: +1 302 831 6402; Fax: +1 302 831 3693; E-mail: kaminski@udel.edu

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine varying degrees of knee flexion on isokinetic eversion (E) to inversion (I) strength ratios. Twenty healthy subjects volunteered for this study. Concentric (CON) peak torque (PT) of both ankles (dominant, non-dominant) at three different angles of knee flexion (15°, 30°, 45°) and two different velocities (30°/s, 120°/s) was assessed with ankle plantar flexion maintained at 10°. The E_{CON}:I_{CON} ratios at 30°/s ranged from 0.87 to 1.04 across all three angles, while those at 120°/s ranged from 0.86 to 1.00 indicating no differences in ratios between knee-flexion angles or ankles. However, there was a trend in lower ratios evident in the dominant compared to non-dominant ankles. These results suggest that subjects may be positioned with knee flexion angles ranging from 15° to 45° without influencing the outcome of the ankle eversion and inversion strength measurements.