Bilateral lsokinetic Peak Torque, Torque Acceleration Energy, Power, and Work Relationships in Athletes and Nonathletes.

Clinicians frequently assume the uninjured extremity can be used as a predictor of preinjury strength for return of the injured extremity to a normal state during rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in bilateral isokinetic peak torque (PT) at 60 and 180 O/sec, and torque acceleration energy (TAE), average power (AP), and total work (MI) at 180 degrees /sec during knee extension and flexion, shoulder extension and flexion, and shoulder internal and external rotation in right hand dominant pitchers, swimmers, and nonathletes. PT values were greater for the right than left sides (p < 0.05) for shoulder extension (60 and 180 degrees / sec) for all three groups. Right side internal rotation (1 80 O/sec) TAE, AP, and MI values were greater than left (p < 0.05) for pitchers but not for swimmers and nonathletes. These findings question the efficacy of assuming bilateral equivalency for PT, TAE, AP, and MI measures in the prescription of therapeutic exercise for all muscle groups in all athletic and nonathletic populations. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1987;9(5):184-189.