Effect of hand position on knee extension and knee flexion torques of intercollegiate rowers

The purpose of this study was to determine if hand position: 1) grasping the test table and 2) grasping the pelvic strap, combined with stabilization via pelvic and distal thigh straps, affected knee extension and flexion torques of intercollegiate athletes. Eighteen male rowers (sweep oarsmen) completed three reciprocal contraction cycles using a 160 degrees /sec knee extension, 0.25 sec pause, and 80 degrees /sec knee flexion protocol. This protocol simulated the knee movements during rowing at about 27 strokes per minute. The order of presenting the hand positions was randomly assigned and a dependent t-test was used to compare hand positions. No statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed between the peak torques produced when grasping the test table and when grasping the pelvic strap, during either knee extension (203 +/- 29 Nm and 207 +/- 26 Nm, respectively) or knee flexion (145 +/- 15 Nm and 149 +/- 18 Nm, respectively). When the knee extensors and flexors of relatively strong individuals are tested in the sitting position and while using a pelvic strap to secure the pelvis to the test table, the subjects may be given the option of grasping either the test table or the pelvic strap without significantly affecting their subsequent knee extension or flexion torques. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1990;11(8):367-371.