Isometric and Eccentric Strength of Elbow Flexors and Extensors

Abstract

Isometric and eccentric maximum strength of elbow flexors and extensors were measured with a special tension-meter at five steps of elbow joint angulation (45°, 60°, 90°, 130°, 160°). Thirty-one female students served as subjects.The results are summarized as follows:1) Independently of the elbow flexors or extensors and the isometric contraction or eccentric contraction, the muscular strength is maximum at 90° among all the angulations tested.2) Irrsepectively of whether voluntary contractions are performed isometrically or eccentrically, the elbow flexors can exert greater strength than the elbow extensors except when the elbow joint is bent too extremely.3) It is a common tendency between the elbow flexors and extensors that the maximum strength of eccentric contractions is greater than that of isometric contractions.These results were discussed in comparison with previous works in this field.