Surface responses of maximum isokinetic ankle torque generation capability

The majority of existing normative torque generation capability (torque cap ability for short) databases are reported in the form of torque as a functi on of joint angle, although it is well recognized that torque capability is a function of both the joint angular position and angular velocity. The ma in objective of this study was to develop the methodology of 3-D dynamic re presentation of torque capability using the ankle joint as an example. The ankle torque capability of 20 males and females was assessed at 5 levels of ankle joint angular positions and velocities in each direction of plantar and dorsi flexion. The ANOVA results indicated significant main effects of joint angular position, angular velocity, direction, and gender, in additio n to the interaction effect of angular position and velocity (p <.003) on t he torque capability of the ankle joint. The regression analysis indicated that an individualized quadratic surface response performed significantly b etter than the models developed for each gender or the whole population usi ng the coefficient of determination and standard error of the regression as criteria. Such 3-D representation of torque capability has a broad spectru m of applications ranging from rehabilitation and ergonomic to biomechanica l applications.