SPECIFICITY OF TORQUE PRODUCTION TO MUSCLE CONTRACTION AT HIP, KNEE AND ANKLE JOINTS

Abstract

Ten male college students performed the simple strength test of the lower limb with using isokinetic dynamometer. The values of flexion and extension torques tended to be the largest at the hip and smallest at the ankle joint in both ECC and CON. However, the ratio of ECC/CON (%) was significantly greater at ankle joint compared with the hip and knee. These finding indicate that ankle joint produce torque more efficiently by ECC than by CON. Also, the correlation coefficients between the values of torques were not significant among three joints. These finding indicate that the ability of torque production is independent in each joint. These results suggest that the characteristics of torque production by the hip, knee and ankle joint vary considerably, reflecting their structural and functional properties.