• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.967-976
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• 2001

The purpose of the present study was to the investigate the effect of aging in men and women on muscle strength of knee extensor and flexors by using the cybex 6000 isokinetic dynamometer. A total of 100 volunteers participated in this study and were divided into five groups according to their chronological age as follows: 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 10 men and 10 women in each decade respectively. Isokinetic ($60^{\circ}{\cdot}s-l$) knee extensor and flexor peak torque, peak torque to body weight ratio, opposing muscles(flexor/extensor) peak torque ratio, deficit of peak torque between dominant and non-dominant were measured. The results obtained were as follows: 1) In men, While the aged increased. the peak torque of the knee flexor and extensor statistically sig nificant decreased in the dominant and non-dominant side. 2) In women, Statistically significant difference of knee extensor peak torque was found as the aged increased in the dominant and non-dominant side, but significant difference of knee flexor peak torque did not that. 3) In men, No significant difference in the peak torque of knee flexor to body weight ratio was found as the aged increased in the non-dominant side, but statistically significant difference in the peak torque of knee flexor to body weight weight ratio was found as the aged increased in the dominant side. 4) In women. No significant difference in the peak torque of knee flexor to body weight ratio was found as the aged increased in the dominant side, but statistically significant difference in the peak torque of knee flexor to body weight ratio was found as the aged increased in the non-dominant side. 5) In men and women, While the aged increased, statistically significant difference was found the dominant and non-dominant side in the peak torque of knee extensor to body weight ratio. 6) Peak torque of hamstring to quadriceps ratio of dominant and non-dominant side in men and women were not significantly different as the age increases. 7) Mean deficit of peak torque between dominant and non-dominant side in men and women were not significantly different as the age increases. From these results we conclude a proper exercise program is need before 50s decade to preserve in muscle strength of knee flexors and extensors.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.297-308
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among isometric and isokinetic muscle strength, lean body mass(LBM) and bone mineral density(BMD) in the elderly. Eleven males(age, 70.27${\pm}$5.78yr; height, 167.36${\pm}$6.68 cm; weight, 68.34${\pm}$8.23 kg) and thirteen female(age, 69.77${\pm}$4.13yr; height, 152.80${\pm}$4.45 cm; weight, 56.86${\pm}$7.40 kg) participated in this study. In all subjects, LBM and BMD segments was measured by using Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry(DEXA, Lunar DPS-DM, U.S.A.). Maximum isometric and isokinetic muscle strength of flexion and extension at the knee and elbow, ankle, trunk joints were measured by using an isokinetic dynamometer(CON-TREX(R) Multi Joint Testing Module, Switzerland). The results of this study showed that isometric and isokinetic muscle strength was significantly higher in extension than flexion. In the male and female, hamstring to quadriceps strength ratio(H:Q ratio) was increased as contraction velocity increased. BMD was correlated significantly with trunk extension in the male, but not in the female. LBM was correlated significantly in the male and female with knee extension strength. This study suggests that in the elderly muscle strength training program should put more weight on extensor muscles of the body.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.49-60
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• 2019

Background: After stroke, in order to improve gait function, it is necessary to increase the muscle strength and to enhance the propriocetive function of the lower extremity. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of open kinetic chain (OKC) versus closed kinetic chain (CKC) isokinetic exercise of the hemiparetic knee using the isokinetic equipment on lower extremity sensorimotor function and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Thirty participants with chronic hemiplegia (> 6 months post-stroke) were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: CKC group and OKC group. Patients from both groups attended conventional physiotherapy sessions 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Additionally, subjects from the CKC group performed isokinetic exercise using the CKC attachment, while those from the OKC group performed isokinetic exercise using the OKC attachment. The isokinetic knee and ankle muscles strength, position sense of the knee joint, and spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured before and after interventions. Results: The knee muscles peak torque/body weight (PT/BW) and hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio significantly increased in both groups (p<.01). In particular, ankle plantarflexors PT/BW, position sense of the knee, gait velocity, and spatial gait symmetry significantly improved in the CKC group (p<.01, p<.05, p<.01, and p<.01, respectively). Conclusion: CKC isokinetic exercise can be an effective therapeutic intervention for the improvement of sensorimotor function of the lower extremity and gait functions, such as gait velocity and symmetry. CKC position in isokinetic strength training is effective to improve functional ability in patients with chronic stroke.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.168-176
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• 2021

Background: The foot is a complex body structure that plays an important role in static and dynamic situations. Previous studies have reported that altered foot posture might affect knee joint strength and postural stability, however their relationship still remains unclear. Objects: The purpose of this study was to identify whether pronated foot posture has an influence on knee isokinetic strength and static and dynamic postural stability. Methods: Forty healthy young males aged 18 to 26 years were included. Foot posture was evaluated using the Foot Posture Index-6 (FPI-6), and the subjects were divided into two groups according to their FPI-6 scores: a neutral foot group (n = 20, FPI-6 score 0 to +5) and a pronated foot group (n = 20, FPI-6 score +6 or more). Biodex Systems 3 isokinetic dynamometer was used to evaluate knee isokinetic strength and hamstring to quadriceps ratio at three angular velocities: 60°/sec, 90°/sec, and 180°/sec. The static and dynamic postural stability in a single-leg stance under the eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions were measured with a Biodex Balance System. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in knee isokinetic strength and static postural stability (p > 0.05), but there was a significant difference in the medial-lateral stability index (MLSI) for dynamic postural stability under the eyes-closed condition (p = 0.022). The FPI-6 scores correlated significantly only with the dynamic overall stability index (OSI) and the MLSI (OSI: R = 0.344, p = 0.030; MLSI: R = 0.409, p = 0.009) under the eyesclosed condition. Conclusion: Participants with pronated foot had poorer medial-lateral dynamic stability under an eyes-closed condition than those without, and FPI-6 scores were moderately positively correlated with dynamic OSI and dynamic MLSI under the eyes-closed condition. These results suggest that pronated foot posture could induce a change in postural stability, but not in knee isokinetic strength.