Metabolic and hemodynamic changes during isokinetic muscle training. A controlled clinical trial

Twenty-one healthy males aged 20-36 years were examined for hemodynamic and metabolic parameters such as heart rate, oxygenation, lactate, blood pressure, under isokinetic and ergometric loadings. The healthy volunteers were tested by increased loads and constant times with an identical isokinetic and ergometric power. The important results are: Heart frequency and blood pressure are higher under isokinetic than under ergometric conditions. Oxygenation is equal in both tests. The lactate values show for the isokinetic maximal and for the ergometric submaximal loadings. The definitive factor for this variation is the relation between force and velocity. The higher tension of the muscles and the higher activity of the fast-twitch fibers seem to be responsible for the increasing of sympathicotonia. The clinical impact of this controlled study is: 1. Isokinetic testing might be dangerous for patients with cardiac diseases or circulatory disturbances. 2. Isokinetic training programs have to pay attention to joint and internal diseases at the same level. 3. During the first isokinetic test all precautions for a possible emergency case have to be taken.