LOWER EXTREMITY KINETICS DURING LOADING FOR OPTIMAL POWER DETERMINATION

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate lower extremity kinetics during selective loading for optimal power output determination. Six male subjects were tested on the Omnikinetic (OMK), a bilateral, closed chain lower extremity dynamometer for individual one repetition maximum { 1-RM} and during 8 trials of 6 maximal repetitions against loads ranging from 45 to 80% of subjects 1-RM. Crank power and ankle, knee, and hip joint velocity, torque, and power were recorded for each trial. All joint velocities were inversely related to load { r = 0.95 to 0.97}. All joint torques were related to load { r = 0.83–0.92}. Joint powers peaked at loads from 50 to 65% of 1-RM and significantly decreased at 75 and 80% of 1-RM. Crank power were greatest and similar at loads of 50, 55, 60, and 65% of 1-RM. The similarity in crank powers at loads from 50 to 65% of 1-RM were accomplished by maintaining greater joint torques with small decreases in joint velocities. These results suggest that lower extremity power output is maximized over a fairly wide range of loads through a strategy of altering lower extremity joint torque and velocity.