Testing of isokinetic muscle strength in the ankle.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate isokinetic strength measurement in ankle joint. The study was divided into three parts. A comparison of dorsal and plantar flexion with and without consideration to the biomechanical circumstances was done. The series comprised 15 men and 10 women. A comparison of strength measurements of dorsal flexion with and without fixation of the upper trunk. The series consisted of 10 men. A reference series for dorsal and plantar flexion comprising 15 men (mean age = 34 +/- 9 yr) was used for comparison. Strength was tested at 0 degree, 15 degrees, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, 120 degrees, 180, and 240 degrees/s. The readings made without biomechanical adjustment were significantly higher than connected readings. Mean difference at 30 degrees/s was 8.4 +/- 7.1 Nm for dorsal flexion and 18 +/- 3.1 Nm for plantar flexion. The torque values were significantly higher when the upper trunk was not immobilized, and higher standard deviations were obtained. The left (viz. dominant) leg produced significantly higher muscle torque at all velocities for plantar flexors and at all but 180 degrees and 240 degrees/s for dorsal flexors. The regression coefficient was used as a measure of peak torque velocity relation, the coefficient was -0.50 +/- 0.16 for plantar flexion and -0.22 +/- 0.06 for dorsal flexion.