A Fundamental Study on the Measurment of the Hip Abduction Force Using an Isokinetic Machine

Abstract

Here we report our results of the fundamental measurements of the hip abduction force using an isokinetic machine (Cybex). We have measured the hip abduction force before and after hip operation since 1980, using a specially developed original table for the supine position, with a four-pointed belt, hand grips, pelvic fixation pads, and an opposite-side lower-limb fixation arm. Using this table, we examined the hip abduction force at different joint speeds and fixation isokinetically.
The results showed that 1) the torque increased at slower joint speeds, 2) the torque changed with different body fixation, such as with hand grip or with the fixation of the opposite lower limb, 3) the joint angle of the goniometer of the Cybex was not correct if the body fixation was not performed, and the joint motion was not isokinetic in such a condition, and 4) the fixation of the body was important in the measurement of the hip abduction force.