Muscle Testing and its clinical implications Paul Thawley

Muscle Testing and its clinical implications Paul Thawley Msc Pg Dip (Rehab) MCSP SRP Olympic Medical Insitute

Measuring external force • Isokinetic dynamometers • Isotonic dynamometers • Isometric dynamometers • 1 RM • Vertical Jumping • Variable resistance machines (ACES system)

Mechanical properties of muscles F V elongation V 0 F/V relationship V shortening

First systems: Isometric machine • Evaluation of maximal isometric strength (maximal voluntary strength) Pros: Pros Very accurate systems, easy to build, low costs, few instructions to give to the athlete/patient Cons: Cons Limited information about strength/power characteristics of the subject, data limited to a specific point of the R. O. M. , is MVC possible in injuried people ? (limited application for rehab purposes)

Isometric Testing

Isometric testing

Human strength: Isometric MVC Isometric measure Force V 0 Velocity

Isometric tests

Isokinetic testing • Machine accomodates strength exertion. • Speed is predetermined by the operator • Computer controlled

Isokinetic measurement • Very Expensive systems • Not easy to prepare • Complicated software • Allows only Lab measurement • Limited evaluation possibilities for top athletes

Human strength: Isokinetic Range of Isokinetic measurement Force V 0 Velocity

Neuromuscular implications Ballistic motion is characterised by the perfect timing of agonist/antagonist muscle activation. The typical activation pattern is called triphasic burst, as depicted in the figure

Strength training in modern sports • Isotonic exercises • Dynamic execution • Free weights • Cammed Machines • Vertical Jumping • Sprinting

Useful data for training Isokinetic: ? ? ? Isometric: ? ? ? Isotonic: Training adaptations can be measured with high accuracy if the same apparatus used for training is used for testing. (Sale e Mac. Dougall, 1991)

Why do we need proper informations ? Isn’it too much ? Where is the fun part ?

Muscle. Lab • Linear encoder • Electrogoniometer • EMG surface • Strain Gauge • Contact/light mat • Accelerometer • Force Plate • Infrared (sprint analysis)

How is it utilised ?

Build F/V relationship F X X V

Determining Power F P=Fx. V O V

Vertical Jumping Assessment Tape meter (Abalakov Test)

Testing Methods to measure vertical jump Evolution of tape measurement. Apparatus developed on the Sargeant test protocol Jump and reach

Contact and light mats Flight time based

The new Quattro Jump system

Jumping Protocols Single Jumps Squat Jump SJ Countermovement Jump CMJ Squat Jump with added weight SJbw

Jumping protocols Multiple Jumps Continuous Jump straight legs CJs Continuous Jump CJ

Steps to build the program • Resistance training goal • Exercise selection • Exercise Order • Training load and repetitions • Volume • Rest Periods

Resistance training goals • Hypertrophy ? • Maximal strength ? • Power ? • Movement specific strength ? • Mainteinance of strength

Exercise selection Core exercises Large muscle areas and multijoint Assistance exercises Small muscle areas and single joint Structural exercises Load on the spine Power exercises Weight quickly lifted

When deciding the exercise • Consider Exercise technique experience • Equipment availability • Training time availability • Muscle Balance • Sport-Specific technique • Previous injuries of the individual

Exercise Order 1. Power, Core and Assistance • Stress on power enhancement 2. Upper and Lower body (Alternated) • For non- well trained individuals 3. Push – Pull • Indicated for circuit training 4. Supersets and Compound sets • Two exercise with opposing muscles • Two exercise for same muscle group

Assign the training load Determine 1 RM Or Build F/V rel. Establish goal (Hypertrophy, Power? ) Chose % of 1 RM Or load on F/V curve Decide number of repetitions Decide volume Sets x Reps

For gaining Strength/power • The weight has to be lifted as fast as possible • Use load assignment to increase maximal strength and optimise power production • Every repetition should be performed at more than 90% of the maximum power • In this way FT fibers are recruited

For gaining hypertrophy • Use heavy loads • Use multiple sets • Use repetitions to fatigue • Use eccentric type of training • Reduce rest between sets • Recruit all muscle fibers