Article

Although peak torque has shown acceptable reproducibility, this may
not be the case with two other often used parameters: time to peak torque (TPT)
and the angle of peak torque (APT). Those two parameters should be used for the
characterization of muscular adaptations in athletes. METHODS: The isokinetic
performance of the knee extensors and flexors in both limbs was measured in 29
male athletes. The experimental protocol consisted of three consecutive identical
paradigms separated by 45 min breaks. Each test consisted of four maximal
concentric efforts performed at 60 and 180 degrees /s. Reproducibility was
quantified by the standard error measurement (SEM), the coefficient of variation
(CV) and by means of intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) with the
calculation of 6 forms of ICCs. RESULTS: Using ICC as the indicator of
reproducibility, the correlations for TPT of both limbs showed a range of
0.51-0.65 in extension and 0.50-0.63 in flexion. For APT, the values were
0.46-0.60 and 0.51-0.81, respectively. In addition, the calculated standard error
of measurement (SEM) and CV scores confirmed the low level of absolute
reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS: Due to their low reproducibility, neither TPT nor
APT can serve as independent isokinetic parameters of knee flexor and extensor
performance. So, given its reproducibility level, TPT and APT should not be used
for the characterization of muscular adaptations in athletes.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS ; FRANCAIS