Ankle dorsi- and plantar-flexion torques measured by dynamometry in healthy subjects from 5 to 80 years

Abstract

BackgroundAnkle strength is often impaired in some of the most common neuromuscular disorders. Consequently, strength generated around this joint is important to assess, because it has a great impact on balance and gait. The objectives of this study were to establish normative data and predictive equations for both ankle dorsi- and plantar-flexion strength from a population of healthy subjects (children and adults), to assess the reliability of the measurements and to study the feasibility of using a novel dynamometer on a group of patients with a neuromuscular disorder.MethodsMeasurements of maximal isometric torque for dorsi- and plantar-flexion were performed on 345 healthy subjects from 5 to 80 years of age. The feasibility of the method was tested on nine patients diagnosed with type 2A limb girdle muscular dystrophy.ResultsThe results documented normal strength values depending on gender and age on ankle dorsi- and plantar-flexion. The reliability of the technique was good with no evaluator effect and a small learning effect. The dynamometer was found suitable in the group of patients, even very weak.ConclusionsThe device developed was both reliable and accurate in assessing both ankle dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion torque measurements from weak patients and children to strong healthy adults. Norms and predictive equations are provided for these two muscle functions.

Reliability of Ankle-Foot Morphology, Mobility, Strength, and Motor Performance Measures

“…These findings are similar to those observed in the same laboratory by Kelln and colleagues 47 While variability in motor performance is expected during a maximal isometric task 48 and with differences in strength between assessing clinicians 49 The authors posit that stabilization of the proximal segments, use of mobilization strap to assist in resisting force, and testing at a consistent joint angle likely contributed to the repeatability and inter-rater reliability observed for these measures in this study. Kelln and colleagues 47 were unable to assess the reliability of handheld dynamometry measure of plantarflexion due to the tester being overpowered during testing.…”

Ankle strength, muscle size, and adipose content following unilateral tibiotalar arthrodesis

“…This interpretation is supported by studies that report decreased stride length, cadence, and dorsiflexion following tibiotalar arthrodesis in comparison to control subjects . Additionally, our data suggest that strength deficits are limited to the fused limb, as the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion torque recorded from the control limb aligns with normative torque data . Notably, for 80 individuals aged 30–69 years, Danneskiold‐Samsøe et al report isometric torques ranges of 16–57 Nm for dorsiflexion and from 31 to 193 Nm for plantarflexion.…”

Enhanced precision of ankle torque measure with an open-unit dynamometer mounted with a 3D force-torque sensor

“…These values for the B.O.T.T.E. were higher than those reported in young adults for isometric PF torques with specific ankle dynamometers (0.88) (Moraux et al 2013) and with isokinetic dynamometers [0.72 with the Cybex device (Sleivert and Wenger 1994) and 0.90 with the Biodex System 3 Pro dynamometer (Webber and Porter 2010)]. CV values of the present study (6.7 % lockedunit; 6.2 % open-unit) were also in agreement with previous studies of isometric wrist flexion (7.9 % with a specific dynamometer) (Stephan et al 2008) and of dorsi-flexion at 30°/s (6.4 % with a Biodex dynamometer) (Holmback et al 1999).…”