Significance of the assessment and clinical application of the rate of force development

Abstract

 When assessing muscle function, it is recommended to measure not only the maximum voluntary contraction strength but also the rate of force development （RFD）. RFD is derived from the average slope of the force development phase after the onset of muscle contraction. It is influenced by neural factors and better relates to performance in some activities of daily living, such as walking. With age, RFD declines earlier and to a greater extent than maximum voluntary contraction strength. Some patients have lower RFDs compared with age-matched healthy adults. Improving the RFD is more difficult than improving maximum voluntary contraction strength. Few studies about RFD, from which important information about neural factors can be gleaned, have been carried out in clinical settings. It is important to improve the RFD in rehabilitation strategies, but no consistent findings have been reported with respect to the training effects of RFD. Further investigation into RFD is necessary if it is to be used for more effective rehabilitation.