Affiliations: [a] Department of Sport and Movement Studies, Faculty of
Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park,
Johannesburg 2006, South Africa. Tel.: +27 11 5592748; Fax: +27 11 559 2671; E-mail: leonl@uj.ac.za
Abstract: Background and objectives: Isokinetic test results are often
evaluated against a norm or normal value. Previous research on isokinetics is
prolific however, different populations present with different "normal"
values. Thus, the aim of the present study was to establish isokinetic norms
for the ankle, knee, shoulder, elbow and forearm joints in young, South African men. Methods: Four hundred and thirty eight (N=438) young male
participants (19.06 ± 1.86 yrs) were evaluated in terms of isokinetic peak
torque of the ankle, knee, shoulder and forearm. A Cybex 340 isokinetic
dynamometer was used to evaluate their concentric peak torque at a low velocity
(30 or 60°/s); gravity was not corrected for. The data was tested for
normality and the descriptive statistics were calculated. Percentile scores
were subsequently constructed. Results: Normative values for peak torque,
peak torque per body mass and agonist-antagonist ratios were constructed for
the ankle, knee, shoulder and forearm. Conclusions: Results from this
study might provide useful norms for the clinical evaluation of low-velocity,
concentric peak torque in young males, when gravity correction is not performed.
