Kim, Doe-Hee;Park, Young-Seogk;Yoon, Zang-Whon;Kim, Jong-Man
51
In general, research in isokinetic exercise has focussed on studies of peak torque. However, peak torque is not always sufficient to assess the real amount of motion or to determine endurance. In this study, the subjects were 54 healthy students who performed continuous maximal isokinetic knee flexion and extension until their total work per time reached 50% of their maximal total work. Isokinetic curves were then plotted. Total work sums, exercise durations in seconds, and the numbers of repetitions were compared with reference to subject gender, angular velocity and muscle group. The relationship between total work sum, duration and number of repetition and thigh circumference plus leg length was computed. In addition, the characteristics of total work per second and total work per time were calculated. Results showed the total work sums differed greatly from muscle group to muscle group and with different angular velocities. The duration in seconds and the numbers of repetition differed only at higher angular velocity. Males achieved higher levels in every category except for some duration in seconds and some numbers of repetitions. Thigh circumference and leg length were deciding fators in every case, but duration in seconds and number of repetitions were not. These results suggest that measures of endurance should be included along with measures of total work when isokinetic studies are done. Measures of endurance in seconds are more accurate when isokinetic exercise is performed at lower angular velocities and numbers of repetitions at higher angular velocities.