Torque characteristics of the ankle plantarflexors and dorsiflexors during eccentric and concentric contraction in healthy young males

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Poulis, S.^a | Poulis, I.^a | Soames, R.W.^b

Affiliations: [a] Physical Therapy Department, Technological Educational Institute, Athens, Greece | [b] School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

Note: [] School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. E-mail: r.w.soames@leeds.ac.uk

Abstract: The torque characteristics were determined for the ankle dorsiflexors and plantarflexors during concentric and eccentric contractions, at 45^{\circ}/s with the knee flexed 90^{\circ}, in 37 young healthy males aged 21 to 24 years. Mean maximum torque during concentric and eccentric contraction was 32.8 \pm 5.5 Nm and 57.8 \pm 14.3 Nm (ratio 0.57) for the dorsiflexors, and 86.3 \pm 26.8 Nm and 86.3 \pm 26.8 Nm (ratio 0.60) for the plantarflexors. The dorsiflexor/plantarflexor maximum torque ratio was 0.38 and 0.40 for concentric and eccentric contractions. The angle of maximum torque generation was 17.4^{\circ} \pm 13.7^{\circ}and 15.7^{\circ} \pm 12.2^{\circ} plantarflexion for the dorsiflexors working concentrically and eccentrically respectively. For the plantarflexors the respective angles were 17.0^{\circ} \pm 9.6^{\circ} and 23.3^{\circ} \pm 11.4^{\circ}plantarflexion: the difference in angle being significant (p<0.01). The torque characteristics presented in this study provide a standard against which muscle coordination can be determined and the planning of rehabilitation programs set.

DOI: 10.3233/IES-2000-0051

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 195-202, 2000