Article

Isokinetic assessment is currently the reference method for measuring
dynamic muscle strength. We have sought to evaluate the reproducibility over time
of isokinetic testing of the hip flexor (FI) and extensor (Ext) muscles and to
establish whether there is a significant difference in peak torque (PT) between
the left and right hips. METHODS: Ten adults were tested once a week
for 3 weeks by the same investigator and according to the same protocol, with two
velocities (60 degrees /s and 180 degrees /s) for the hip FI and Ext in
concentric tests and one velocity (30 degrees /s) for the Ext only in eccentric
tests. The reproducibility of the measured PT was analyzed by using the
intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and a Bland and Altman plot. The
difference in PT between the right and left hips was tested using Student's T
test. RESULTS: The ICC for the observed PT values revealed very good
reproducibility (with a value of between 0.75 and 0.96) for the hip FI and Ext
measurements (regardless of the body side, test velocity or contraction mode). We
did not observe any significant PT differences between the right and left hips.
CONCLUSION: The isokinetic assessment of the concentric and eccentric PT values
generated by the hip FI and Ext is highly reproducible. There is no difference
between dominant and nondominant body sides, which enables the use of the
contralateral limb as a reference.
CI - 2010. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Langue : ANGLAIS ; FRANCAIS