Date of Award

1996

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Beverly Johnson

Keywords

Elbow -- physiology; Muscle Contraction

Abstract

The traditional eccentric force-velocity curve illustrates a continuous increase in muscle force production as velocity increases. Recently, this curve has been scrutinized by some researchers who have found a plateau or decline in eccentric force production at the higher velocities. The purpose of this study was to examine the eccentric isokinetic force-velocity curve of the elbow flexor muscles over a broad range of velocities to observe whether it follows the traditional force-velocity curve.

Fourteen healthy female and six healthy male volunteers were tested using. the Kinetic Communicator Dynamometer at velocities of 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 degrees per second. At each velocity, the subject performed three maximal voluntary eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors and the peak force measurement was used for statistical analysis. A repeated-measures analysis of variance found no significant difference in eccentric force production as test velocities increased for men or for women. A graphic display of the force-velocity relationship for each group did not demonstrate the characteristics of the traditional eccentric force-velocity curve. Therefore, this study does not support the traditional force-velocity relationship findings for elbow flexors under eccentric isokinetic conditions.

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