Skip to main content
Log in

Summary

Isokinetic and static maximum plantar flexion torques were measured in 135 adults with sedentary professions. Close associations between isokinetic and static peak torques were found. Between the ages 20–49 years strength did not differ. Thereafter strength declined as a function of age. Maximum strength was 35% lower in females than in males. The right plantar flexion strength was slightly lower than the left. Maximum plantar flexion strength was about 15% lower with flexed than with extended knees. A negative exponential model characterized the decline of strength as a function of increased isokinetic velocity of angular motion. Seventy per cent or more of the variations in maximum static and isokinetic strength could be explained by anthropometric variables and by age, and by the extent of physical activity in subjects younger than 50 years. Formulas for estimation of expected static and isokinetic strengths are given.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • AAOS. Amer Acad Ortop Surg (1965) Joint Motion.

  • Asmussen E, Heeböll-Nielsen K, Molbech S (1959) Methods for evaluation of muscle strength. Comm Dan Natl Assoc Infant Par 5

  • Asmussen E, Heeböll-Nielsen K (1961) Isometric muscle strength of adult men and women. Comm Dan Natl Assoc Infant Par 11

  • Asmussen E, Hansen O, Lammert O (1965) The relation between isometric and dynamic muscle strength in man. Comm Dan Natl Assoc Infant Par 20

  • Beaslay WC (1961) Quantitative muscle testing. Principles and applications to research and clinical services. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 42: 398–425

    Google Scholar 

  • Berglund E, Birath G, Bjure J, Grimby G, Kjellmer I, Sandqvist L, Söderholm B (1963) Spirometric studies in normal subjects. Acta Med Scand 173: 185–206

    Google Scholar 

  • BÄcklund L, Nordgren L (1968) A new method for testing muscle strength under standardized conditions. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 21: 33–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Daniels L, Wortingham C (1972) Muscle testing, techniques of manual examination. Sauders, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Darcus HD (1953) A strain gauge dynamometer for measuring the strength of muscle contraction and for reeducating muscles. Ann Phys Med 1: 163–176

    Google Scholar 

  • De Lorme TL, Watkins AL (1951) Progressive resistance exercise, technic and medical application. Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Diem K, Lentner C (eds) (1970) Scientific Tables. Ciba-Geigy, Basle, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • Draper NR, Smith H (1966) Applied regression analysis. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Fugl-Meyer AR, Burstedt Y, Långström M (1979a) Measurements of isokinetic ankle torques. In: Staff PH, Proceedings of the Nordic Workshop on Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. StrØmmen, Syntex, pp 65–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Fugl-Meyer AR, Sjöström M, WÄhlby L (1979b) Human plantar flexion strength and structure. Acta Phys Scand 107: 47–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Herman BR, Bragin SJ (1967) Function of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Phys Ther 47: 105–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Hislop HJ, Perrine (1967) The isokinetic concept of exercise. Phys Ther 47: 114–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Hof AL, Berg JW van den (1977) Linearity between the weighted sum of the EMGs of the human triceps surae and the total torque. J Biochem 10: 529–539

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendall HO, Kendall FP (1969) Muscles testing and function. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore

    Google Scholar 

  • Lamphiear DE, Montoye HJ (1976) Muscular strength and body size. Hum Biol 48: 147–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsson L, Grimby G, Karlsson K (1979) Muscle strength and speed of contraction in relation to age and muscle morphology. J Appl Physiol 46: 451–456

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewin T, Svensson B (1975) Body-measures in Swedish males and females (in Swedish). University of Göteborg, Göteborg Stencils, pp. 39–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Moritz U, Lundbladh K (1976) Neurophysiologic and biomechanic aspects on manual muscle testing. In: Proceedings of the 7th International Congress of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rio de Janeiro

  • Nicholas JA, Sapega BA, Kraus H, Webb JN (1978) Factors influencing manual muscle tests in physical therapy. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 60: 186–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordgren B (1972) Anthropometric measures and muscle strength in young women. Scand J Rehabil Med 4: 165–169

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Donovan DJ, Watson AWS (1977) Relationship between muscular strength and body size of postpuberal male adolescents. J Physiol 271: 61–62P

    Google Scholar 

  • Osternig LR, Bates BT, James SL (1977) Isokinetic and isometric torque force relationship. Arch Phys Med 58: 254–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Roses MS, Nicholson MT, Kircher CS, Roses AD (1977) Evaluation and detection of Duchenne's and Becker's muscular dystrophy carriers by manual muscle testing. Neurology 27: 20–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Saltin B, Grimby G (1968) Physiological analysis of middleaged and old athletes. Circulation 38: 1104–1115

    Google Scholar 

  • Sjöström M, Fugl-Meyer AR, WÄhlby L (1978) Achilles tendon injury, plantar flexion strength and structure of the soleus muscle after surgical repair. Acta Chir Scand 144: 219–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Tardieu C, Colbeau-Justin P, Bret MD, Lespargot A, Huet de la Tour E, Tardieu G (1976) An apparatus and a method for measuring the relationship of triceps surae torques to tibio tarsal angles in man. Eur J Appl Physiol 35: 11–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Thistle HG, Hislop HJ, Moffroid M, Lowmann EW (1967) Isokinetic contraction. A new concept of resistive exercise. Arch Phys Med 48: 279–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorstensson A, Larsson L, Tesch P, Karlsson J (1977) Muscle strength and fibre composition in athletes and sedentary men. Med Sci Sports 9: 26–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Tornvall G (1963) Assessment of physical capabilities. Acta Physiol Scand [Suppl] 58: 201

    Google Scholar 

  • Zadig A (1963) Objective measurement of muscle strength with a new dynamometer (in Swedish). Sv LÄkartidn 60: 1–16

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Fugl-Meyer, A.R., Gustafsson, L. & Burstedt, Y. Isokinetic and static plantar flexion characteristics. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 45, 221–234 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421330

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00421330

Key words

Navigation