Summary
The primary purpose of this investigation was to study the eccentric and concentric torque-velocity characteristics of the quadriceps femoris in man using a recently developed combined isometric, concentric and eccentric controlled velocity dynamometer (the SPARK System). A secondary purpose was to compare the method error associated with maximal voluntary concentric and eccentric torque output over a range of testing velocities. 21 males (21–32 years) performed on two separate days maximal voluntary isometric, concentric and eccentric contractions of the quadriceps femoris at 4 isokinetic lever arm velocities of 0° · s−1 (isometric), 30° · s−1 120° · s−1 and 270° · s−1. Eccentric peak torque and angle-specific torques (measured every 10° from 30° to 70°) did not significantly change from 0° · s−1 to 270° · s−1 (p>0.05) (with the exception of angle-specific 40° torque, which significantly increased;p<0.05). The mean method error was significantly higher for the eccentric tests (10.6%±1.6%) than for the concentric tests (8.1%±1.7%) (p<0.05). The mean method error decreased slightly with increasing concentric velocity (p>0.05), and increased slightly with increasing eccentric velocity (p>0.05). A tension restricting neural mechanism, if active during maximal eccentric contractions, could possibly account for the large difference seen between the present eccentric torque-velocity results and the classic results obtained from isolated animal muscle.
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Westing, S.H., Seger, J.Y., Karlson, E. et al. Eccentric and concentric torque-velocity characteristics of the quadriceps femoris in man. Europ. J. Appl. Physiol. 58, 100–104 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00636611
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00636611