Isokinetic norms for ankle, knee, shoulder and forearm muscles in young South African men

Background and objectives: Isokinetic test results are often evaluated against a norm or normal value. Previous research on isokinetics is prolific however, different populations present with different "normal" values. Thus, the aim of the present study was to establish isokinetic norms for the ankle, knee, shoulder, elbow and forearm joints in young, South African men. Methods: Four hundred and thirty eight (N = 438) young male participants (19.06 ± 1.86 yrs) were evaluated in terms of isokinetic peak torque of the ankle, knee, shoulder and forearm. A Cybex 340 isokinetic dynamometer was used to evaluate their concentric peak torque at a low velocity (30 or 60°/s); gravity was not corrected for. The data was tested for normality and the descriptive statistics were calculated. Percentile scores were subsequently constructed. Results: Normative values for peak torque, peak torque per body mass and agonist-antagonist ratios were constructed for the ankle, knee, shoulder and forearm. Conclusions: Results from this study might provide useful norms for the clinical evaluation of low-velocity, concentric peak torque in young males, when gravity correction is not performed.