Investigation of Effect of Age, Gender and Limb Dominance on Ankle Evertor/Invertor Peak Torque Ratios of Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

[Purpose] To determine the ankle evertor/invertor maximal torque ratios (E/I) in the normal population which could be used as reference values during clinical evaluations and rehabilitation efforts and also to investigate the effect of age, gender and limb dominance on E/I. [Methods] Concentric ankle E/I was tested at 30 and 120 degrees/second using an isokinetic dynamometer for 79 healthy volunteers and the effects of age, gender, limb dominance on E/I were analysed. [Results] E/I values increased slightly with increasing age and there were statistically significant differences between age groups of 20-29 and 60-upper ages, and 30-39 and 60-upper ages with respect to left E/I (120 degrees/second) values. There were no significant differences between male and female subjects and between dominant and non-dominant limbs. [Conclusion] Ankle evertor/invertor peak torque ratios are affected by age but not by the dominance of the limb and the patient's gender. The ratios observed in different age groups in our study can be used as reference values in clinical evaluations and rehabilitation programs without taking into account the dominance of the limb and the patient's gender.