Basic principles for the administration of dynamometric (isometric, isotonic and isokinetic) tests
| Isometric tests147–149 | Isotonic tests147 150–152 | Isokinetic tests42 85 112 113 153 |
| Operate a proper warm-up. | Operate a proper warm-up. | Operate a proper warm-up. |
| Biomechanically isolate the muscle group to be tested. | Biomechanically isolate the muscle group to be tested. | Biomechanically isolate the muscle group to be tested. |
| Standardise the lever arm. | Standardise the lever arm and ROM. | Standardise the lever arm and ROM. |
| Begin the test with the healthy limb. | Begin the test with the healthy limb. | Begin the test with the healthy limb. |
| Apply an isometric contraction of progressive intensity for a duration of between 3 sec and 5 sec. | Apply the maximal speed during the movement. | Align the centre of rotation of the joint with that of the mechanical device. |
| Encourage the patient during the test. | Encourage the patient during the test. | Encourage the patient during the test. |
| Perform at least three trials with an adequate recovery between each trial (around 1 min 30 sec). | Perform at least one set of 6–10 repetitions. | Subtract the weight of the limb from the calculation of the force moment (usually done automatically by the device). |
| Consider the peak value. | Consider both average and peak value. | Consider the average value, avoiding the so-called ‘peak artifact’. |
| Check for any pain symptoms with VAS. | Check for any pain symptoms with VAS. | Check for any pain symptoms with VAS. |
| Stop the test in the presence of severe pain (VAS >3). | Stop the test in the presence of severe pain (VAS >3). | Stop the test in the presence of severe pain (VAS >3). |
| The dynamometric values must be ≥90% of the prelesion values or ≥90% of the contralateral limb values. | The dynamometric values must be ≥90% of the prelesion values or ≥90% of the contralateral limb values. | Perform one set of 6–10 repetitions at low speed (30°/s−60°/s) and one set at high speed (>300°/s). |
| Perform at least one eccentric test at 60°/s or 30°/s. | ||
| Consider the value of the joint angle corresponding to the peak force production. | ||
| Consider the values of the mechanical work. | ||
| Consider the shape of the force curve. | ||
| Consider the value of the ratio of HS (concentric modality) to Q (concentric modality), and the value of the ratio HS (eccentric modality) to Q (concentric modality). | ||
| Perform the tests observing an adequate recovery between the sets (~2−3 min). | ||
| The dynamometric values must be ≥>90% of the pre-lesion values or ≥>90% of the contralateral limb values | ||
ROM, range of motion; VAS, Visual Analogue Scale.