It is important to examine the functional relationships between commonly performed clinical tests and to resolve inconsistencies in previous investigative results. The purpose of this study was to determine if a correlation exists between three commonly performed clinical tests: isokinetic isolated knee concentric muscular testing, the single-leg hop test, and the subjective knee score in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructed knees. To determine if a relationship exists would be beneficial to clinicians in determining patient progression, treatment modification, and return-to-sport objective parameters. Several investigators have analyzed two of these pararneters, but no one has investigated three parameters to date. Additionally, this study explored the concept of limb acceleration and deceleration during high-speed isokinetics and its relationship to function. Fifty patients were randomly selected (29 males) with a mean age of 23.7 years (range 15-52). The subject5 completed a subjective knee score questionnaire that rated symptoms (pain, swelling, giving way) and specific sport function and completed an overall knee score assessment. The patients were then evaluated performing three one-legged functional tests: 1) hop for distance, 2) timed hop, and 3) cross-over triple hop. lsokinetic testing was performed on a Biodex dynamometer at 180,300, and 450°/sec for knee extension/flexion. The patients' mean value of the self-assessed knee rating was 86 points. Sixty-four percent of the patients exhibited normal limb symmetry (within 85%) on all three singleleg hop tests. Sixteen percent exhibited quadriceps strength at least 90% of the contralateral limb isokinetically. A positive correlation was noted between isokinetic knee extension peak toque (180, 30O0/sec) and subjective knee scores, and the three hop tests (p < 0.001). A statistical trend was noted between knee extension acceleration and deceleration range at 180 and 30Oo/sec for the timed hop test and triple cross-over hop (r = 0.48, r = 0.49, r = 0.51, r = 0.49). NO positive correlations were found for isokinetic test results for the knee flexors.
The purpose of this study was to establish a data base regarding the isokinetic muscular performance characteristics of the external/internal rotator muscles of professional baseball pitchers. One hundred fifty healthy professional baseball pitchers were evaluated by use of a Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. The subjects tested had a mean age of 23.4 years and a mean body weight of 199 pounds. Isokinetic tests were performed concentrically at 180 and 300 deg/sec for both the throwing and nonthrowing shoulders. Testing procedures regarding positioning and stabilization followed established guidelines. The testing protocol and actual test repetitions were standardized for each subject. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation and paired t-tests. Determination of the correlation coefficient was made at the P < 0.05 level of significance. Test results for bilateral comparison of mean peak torque for the throwing and nonthrowing shoulders indicated no statistically significant difference between the internal rotators at both test speeds, or for the external rotators at 300 deg/sec. There was a significant statistical difference at the 180 deg/sec test speed for the external rotators. The external/internal rotator strength ratio indicated a 65% ratio at 180 deg/sec and a 61% ratio at 300 deg/sec. Data were also collected for mean peak torque/body weight ratios of the throwing shoulder to establish a data base in professional throwers. This study offers clinical relevance in establishing a muscle performance profile for the professional thrower. This data base can therefore be used as criteria that should be met before an injured pitcher can be returned to throwing at the professional baseball level.
The overhead throwing motion is a high-velocity, extremely stressful athletic movement. Its repetitive nature places tremendous demands on the entire body, frequently resulting in injury to the throwing shoulder. Such injuries, whether managed nonoperatively or surgically, require a multiphased approach beginning with exercises to restore muscular strength and proprioception, and advancing to more demanding exercises to improve power, endurance, and dynamic control. This article presents a new and innovative approach to the rehabilitation of the overhead throwing athlete, The Advanced Throwers Ten Exercise Program. This expanded program incorporates throwing motion-specific exercises and movement patterns performed in a discrete series, utilizing principles of coactivation, high-level neuromuscular control, dynamic stabilization, muscular facilitation, strength, endurance, and coordination, which all serve to restore muscle balance and symmetry in the overhead throwing athlete. This program is a continuation of the Throwers Ten Exercise Program, which has been utilized with excellent results in clinical practice and in athletic performance training. This unique combination of advanced exercise techniques bridges the gap between rehabilitation and training, facilitating a kinetic linking of the upper and lower extremities and providing a higher level of humeral head control necessary for the overhead throwing athlete's symptom-free return to sports.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.