Effect of Isokinetic training on Quadriceps Peak Torque in Healthy subjects and patients with burn injury

Abstract

To evaluate the improvement rate of quadriceps muscle peak torque in healthy subjects and patients with burn injuries after an isokinetic training programme. Thirty male volunteers, 15 healthy and 15 subjects with burn injury after complete healing, participated in the study. Concentric and eccentric torque of quadriceps was measured for both groups using an isokinetic dynamometer before and after 6 weeks of isokinetic training. The tests were performed at angular velocities of 30°/s and 90°/s. There was a significant increase in the quadricep speak torque for both groups at both angular velocities after isokinetic training. During eccentric contraction at angular velocities of 30°/s and 90°/s the percentage improvement in the burned group was higher than in the healthy group(p = 0.003 and p = 0.0008, respectively). During concentric contraction at an angular velocity of 30°/s the percentage improvement in the burned group was higher than the healthy group (p = 0.020). However, during concentric contraction at an angular velocity of 90°/s there was no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.742). The isokinetic training programme was effective in increasing the concentric and eccentric peak torque of the quadriceps muscle for healthy subjects and patients with burn injuries.