ASSESSMENT OF ISOMETRIC AND ISOKINETIC ANKLE STRENGTH MEASURES: A PILOT STUDY.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Ankle strength is crucial for athletic performance and daily activities.
• Understanding factors influencing ankle strength, such as sex and physical activity, is important for training and rehabilitation.
• Previous research has explored ankle strength, but associations between isometric and isokinetic measures and their relationship with physical activity levels require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate isometric and isokinetic ankle strength, including dorsiflexion (DF), plantar flexion (PF), inversion (INV), and eversion (EVE), in healthy adults.
• To compare ankle strength between sexes and across different physical activity levels.
• To explore potential associations between isometric and isokinetic ankle strength measurements.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 18-60-year-old healthy individuals.
• Isometric strength assessed using a Lafayette® manual dynamometer.
• Isokinetic strength measured with a Humac Norm® isokinetic dynamometer; physical activity level determined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).

Main Results:

• Significant differences in isokinetic ankle strength were observed between sexes for dominant and non-dominant limbs.
• Isokinetic strength varied significantly with physical activity levels; highly active individuals exhibited higher torque peaks in dominant PF and non-dominant INV compared to less active individuals.
• No significant association was found between isometric and isokinetic ankle strength measurements.

Conclusions:

• Men generally exhibit greater isokinetic ankle strength than women.
• Higher levels of physical activity are associated with enhanced isokinetic ankle strength.
• The study did not establish a correlation between isometric and isokinetic ankle strength assessments in healthy adults.