Isometric push-up and pull-down strengths of paraplegics in the workspace:1. Strength measurement profiles

The isometric push-lip and pull-down strength profiles of male and female p araplegics were determined in the normal, maximum, and extreme workspace re ach envelopes, For this investigation, a computerized isometric strength me asurement-system was designed and constructed. Three vertical angles (phi = -20 degrees, 0 degrees, 45 degrees) and three horizontal angles (theta = 4 5 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees) were used to define the 24 measurement locations in the workspace reach envelope. The maximum push-lip strength fo r men was 137 newtons (N) at phi = 0 degrees and phi = 135 degrees and for the females 66 N at phi = 0 degrees and phi = 90 degrees, both in the norma l reach envelope. The maximum pull-down strength for both men and women occ urred at phi = 45 degrees and phi = 130 degrees in the normal reach envelop e and were 151 and 80 N, respectively. Overall, women were 61% as strong as men. For both sexes, pull-down strength was noticeably higher than push-li p strength. On the average, push-up strength was 64% of pull-down strength.