ISOKINETIC

DYNAMOMETER
Presented by : Gursimran, nidhi, navneet, vanshika and gurjot.
 INTRODUCTION
ISO = SAME KINETIC = MOVEMENT

DYNAMOMETER : A device which measures the force.

● Isokinetic measurements are measurements of muscular torque at a constant velocity.

● The computerized isokinetic dynamometer, monitors and alters the resistance so that the movement velocity
is held constant.
● Movement velocities can be determined at various velocities ( upto 300 degrees/s )
● Typically joint is measured and the maximum torque output can be calculated for that movement.
● DEFINITION : Isokinetic dynamometry is a method of quantitative myometry that uses hydraulic or
electromagnetic instrument to impose constant velocity movement at preset angular velocities. Or
● isokinetic dynamometry is the assessment of dynamic muscle strength, and function in general, by
measuring the joint moment exerted during constant joint angular velocity movements.
● Isokinetic dynamometers are extremely useful and unique devices that allow the assessment of dynamic
muscle and joint function under specific conditions
● CYBEX 1, the first isokinetic exercise machine was introduced in United States of America. In Europe,
CYCOB was introduced in 1976 at Karolinska University, Sweden
The ID can provide two main functions: evaluation function and exercise function.

1) EVALUATION FUNCTION : Evaluation function serves as an indicator of the

physical state of the sportsman, and monitors the evolution of injured tissues
on patient to help to identify different pathologies. Several modes are used to
evaluate the function.
2) Exercise function means training to the athlete and physiotherapy to the
patient. There is evidence of improvement on muscle strength in different
populations after isokinetic training (Connelly and Vandervoort, 2000; Alaca et
al., 2002; Heitkamp et al., 2001)
WHY TO USE AN ISOKINETIC DYNAMOMETER ?

● Measurement of muscle strength

● For assessment of training or rehabilitation programme
● Prediction of performance
● Prevention of injuries
● In basic research on the mechanics of muscles, tendons and joints.
 BASIC MODES

ISOMETRIC ISOTONIC PASSIVE ISOKINETIC

POSITION Constant variable variable variable

SPEED null variable constant constant

ACCELERATION null variable null null

TORQUE Variable constant variable variable

APPLICATION
● Isokinetic dynamometers are extremely useful and unique devices that
allow the assessment of dynamic muscle and joint function under specific
conditions
● Once the pre-set angular velocity is attained, the resistive moment is
equal to the net moment applied, so that the joint and muscles are
loaded to their maximum capacity over the range of constant (isokinetic)
movement.
● Because the dynamometer resistive moment does not normally exceed
the net applied moment, no joint or muscle overloading and, therefore,
risk of injury occurs
● This device has a lever arm that
moves at a constant angular
velocity. The subject pushes the
lever arm and the
computer-guided dynamometer
registers the resistance, which
equals the muscular forces
applied throughout the whole
ROM. This method allows the
measurement of the muscular
forces in dynamic conditions and
provides optimal loading of the
muscles
● The dynamometer produces a
torque displacement
diagram. The highest point
(y-axis) of the torque
displacement diagram, the
peak torque (PT), is
considered the gold standard
of isokinetic strength
measurement (Mullaney et
al. 2006)
● The subject’s joint is aligned with the axis of rotation of the dynamometer
● The limb to be tested is attached to the lever arm of the isokinetic device.
● .The subject is instructed to push as hard and as fast as possible against the lever arm.
● The amount of resistance needed to counter the subjects force is recorded as a torque
measure.
● If the subject is assessed for strength, a certain number of repetitions such as five, in slower
angular velocities (30, 60 degrees per second) are performed.
● If a subject is being tested for endurance the machine may be set for a specific period of time
such as 10 minutes in faster angular velocities.
● The isokinetic dynamometers show the real-time display of the torque output.
● Biodex, Cybex, Kin-Com, Orthotron are some of the isokinetic devices used extensively.
● CYBEX MACHINE consists of a movable lever arm controlled by an electronic servo motor that can be
set for angular velocities from 0 to 300 degree/second. The lever arm is attached to a subject’s limb
and the subject is then asked to move as fast as possible.The machine is designed to maintain limb
movement at a constant angular velocity and provide accommodating resistance.
● When the subject attempts to accelerate beyond the preset machine speed, the machine resist the
movement.
● The dynamometers are interfaced with computers that provide many different measures of muscle
performance such as peak torque, torque to body weight ratio, and torque measurements at certain
ranges of motion.
● All the modern available isokinetic dynamometers use electromechanical components for the control
of the angular velocity of the input arm. Hydraulic based systems are no longer available, with the
exception of used KinCom models that are based on a combination of electromechanical and hydraulic
components or other used hydraulic-based systems such as the AKRON.
BIODEX ISOKINETIC DYNAMOMETER
Basic parts involve :

1. Force acceptance unit: Interface between the subject and the system.

2. Lever arm: converts the force signal into an electrical signal.

3. Load cell: provides the base for the force acceptance unit and about a
fixed axis.

4. Hand assembly: houses the motor responsible for the motion of the
lever arm.

5. Seat or plinth: positions the subject with independent vertical and

horizontal alignment options.

6. Control unit: consists of personal computer and its associated

peripheral equipment.

7. Specific attachments: for various applications of the anatomical joints

Measurement of isokinetic strength of flexor and
extensor muscles of the knee.

● The subject is asked to sit on the device seat

so that his body was in a comfortable and
standard position.
● To perform the test in an optimal and
standard way, the trunk, pelvis, and thigh
and the foot were fixed using special belts on
the device
● The final settings were made as to the center
of the rotation axis of the dynamometer and
the center of the axis of rotation of the joint
are matched. After adjusting the height of the
arm to the length of the foot, using a special
cushion belt, the foot on the arm was closed
and tightened so that the cushion was placed
on the ankle.
● The subject is asked to perform a few
natural contractions along with the range
of motion, to ensure the comfort of the
person, the correct performance of the
movement as well as creating familiarity
and communication between the person
and the device.
● The subject is asked to try with
maximum strength and speed at angular
speeds of 60° (low intensity), 180°
(moderate intensity) and 300° (high
intensity)
● In each of the angular speeds, the subject
has the opportunity to try 5 times, after
which he rested for 30 s, and rested for 1
min between movements at different
angular speeds.
 PRECAUTIONS
● Subjects should be monitored carefully for signs of distress during testing or
exercise.
● Vitals signs should be carefully measured before and after the session.
● Colour should be checked - in response to exertion.
● Quality of the movement has to be taken care of.
● Degree of motivation and effort of the patient is must as the cooperation of
the subject matters the most in this type of evaluation or treatment.
● Pain rating should be done.
Contraindications

ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATIONS :

● Acute muscle-tendon unit strains

● effusion, and
● joint laxity.
● Acute ligament or capsule sprains
● severe pain
● extremely limited ROM
● severe effusion
● joint instability.
● Severe osteoporosis

RELATIVE CONTRAINDICATIONS :

● subacute muscle-tendon unit strains

● subacute ligament or capsule sprains
● Pain
● partially limited ROM
● effusion, and joint laxity
ADVANTAGES
● Provides reliable objective documentation of dynamic muscle performance
● Because of the accommodating resistance, a muscle can be challenged to its maximal
capability through an entire range of motion
● Muscle groups can be isolated for testing and rehabilitation
● Inherently safe for pain and fatigue
● Concentric isokinetic exercises produce minimal post exercise delayed-onset muscle
soreness
● Because of specificity of training, exercising at the faster angular velocities at higher
intensities can recruit fast-twitch muscle fibers which are critically important in
functional activities. There is the potential to increase muscle power, quickness of
muscle force development, time rate of torque development, torque acceleration
energy, and rate of force development; all are important for athletic performance
● Real-time feedback is available to the patient for motivation during exercise
DISADVANTAGES

● Non functional patterns of movements

● Limited velocities to actually replicate the actual speeds of sports performance
● Increased joint compressive forces at slower speeds
● Higher cost and the devices are large that means it requires a proper infrastructure to
accommodate.
● Difference between individual machines of the same model type ( software especially )
● Requires the user to be very knowledgeable as to which mode to be used and to set the
other functions in the machine.
 CONSIDERATIONS FOR TESTING AFTER ACL
RECONSTRUCTION
● The details of the type of surgery (such as
type of graft and fixation) should be known.
● Use a proximally placed pad or a dual shin pad
to prevent anterior tibial translation avoid 30°
–0° of knee extension to minimize anterior
translation
● Use faster velocities earlier in the testing and
then decrease the speeds for the
velocity-spectrum testing as the patient
progresses through the rehabilitation session
and/or program.
REFERENCES

● CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF ISOKINETIC DYNAMOMETER: MODELING AND SIMULATION

● Isokinetic muscle strength cannot be related to the odds ratio of musculoskeletal injuries in young
elite wrestlers (22 FEBRUARY 2022)
● Biomechanical evaluation of movement in sports and science. ( ISOKINETIC DYNAMOMETRY Vasilios
Baltzopoulos )
● Isokinetic dynamometry: implications for muscle testing and rehabilitation
●