Two setups were compared: the first according to manufacturer’s guidelines (setup A) and the second a novel setup incorporating pelvic fixation (setup B). Setups A and B were performed in a random order. Both setups included the same battery of isokinetic (30°/s, 60°/s) and isometric tests, and were repeated 1 week later.
Main Outcome Measures
The peak torque for each abduction and adduction exercise was noted and pelvic motion during testing was recorded.
Results
Setup B significantly (P<.05) reduced transverse pelvic rotation by between 7.5° and 8.0° dependent on test speed. Mean differences for reproducibility of peak torque, ranged from 0.8 to 11.7Nm. The coefficients of repeatability of both setups were similar, ranging from 21.4 to 56.3Nm across isokinetic exercises. A similar observation was noted for isometric exercises, with the differences between the coefficients of repeatability ranging from 18.6 to 40.0Nm.
Conclusions
Reducing pelvic rotation does not enhance reproducibility of the system and is not related to torque production. Further research is required to determine the optimal test setup.
Biosurgery and Surgical Technology, Division of Surgery, Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital, Imperial College London, U.K.
Reprint requests to Alison H. McGregor, PhD, Reader in Biodynamics, Biosurgery and Surgical Technology, Div of Surgery, Oncology, Reproductive Biology and Anaesthetics, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Charing Cross Hospital, London, W6 8RF, UK
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.