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Effects of Isokinetic Strength Training on Concentric and Eccentric Torque Development in the Ankle Dorsiflexors of Older Adults

^a School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Physical Therapy Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
^b School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada

Anthony A. Vandervoort, School of Physical Therapy, Room 1400, Elborn College, The University of Western Ontario, London ON, Canada N6G 1H1 E-mail: vandervo{at}julian.uwo.ca.

Jay Roberts, PhD

This study quantifies concentric and eccentric dorsiflexor muscle torque at various movement velocities and determines the neuromuscular effects from short-term practice of repeated maximal voluntary contractions using an isokinetic resisted exercise program in older adults. Twenty-eight subjects (76.3 ± 4.6 years) trained concentric and eccentric dorsiflexion 3 days per week for 2 weeks at 30°, 90°, and 180°/s through 40° of dorsiflexion range of motion. Peak torque, rate of torque development, surface electromyography, and strength curves at each velocity were compared before and after training. Increases were found for concentric (27%) and eccentric (20%) dorsiflexor peak torque and concentric rate of torque production (20%–53%) across all movement velocities (p < .01). Training also significantly increased dorsiflexor concentric (64%) and eccentric (55%) surface electromyography; taken together, this is evidence of apparent adaptation of neural factors in older adults with short-term training. These findings support that eccentric and concentric strength training enhances the control and production of ankle muscle dorsiflexor torque in older adults, with implications for improving functional mobility of the ankle joint.

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