Factors influencing the angular velocity of a human limb segment.

The angular velocity of a knee extension performed after flexion with different range and velocity, i.e. the kicking movement with stabilized thigh, was investigated and described. In addition, the maximum velocity of extension reached after prestretch was compared to that obtained in trials without prestretch. The maximum velocity of extension varied from 213 to 1087 degrees s-1 depending on the range and velocity of prestretch. In trials without prestretch the velocity of extension was worse up to 43% when small range of movement was involved. In trials with full range of movement the velocity of extension was similar in the tasks with and without prestretch. In this context the possible role of elastic energy is discussed. The method used was electrogoniometry.