Isokinetic trunk muscle performance characteristics of normal Chinese young adults

The increasing concern in trunk muscle condition and back problem has created a need for documented normative data. The purpose of this initial investigation was to determine isokinetic norms for trunk extension and flexion in normal young male adults. The isokinetic measures presented included peak torque, work and flexion to extension muscles peak torque and work ratios. Fifty five male subjects were tested at speeds of 60⁰s⁻¹, 90⁰s⁻¹ and 120⁰s⁻¹ with four consecutive repetitions of exercise in each test speed. Statistical analysis indicated that both peak torque and works results were statistically significant in correlating with body weight measures. Isokinetic test results were presented and several characteristics were identified. The registered peak torque and work results decreased as the test speed increased. The scores of trunk extension movement were always higher than trunk flexion. The trunk flexion/extension peak torque and work ratios increased with testing speed. Copyright © 1996 The Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Scinece.