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.

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Relation between the maximum walking speed for 10m distance (MWS) and performance of daily life activities examined by a questionnaire composed of 75 items were analysed in 54 ambulatory post-stroke patients more than one year after discharge. Multivariate discriminant analysis of qualitative data (Hayashi's quantification I) to clarify the difference between “doing” and “not-doing” of 75 items was performed using six independent variables; age, sex, paretic side, time since stroke onset, position in the family and MWS. MWS was the most significant discriminant of 27 items. The self-care activities and static activities such as reading a newspaper were not related to MWS. Patients with MWS more than 20m/min performed several home activities and leisure activities such as cleaning, shopping, hobby and traveling, those with more than 40m/min did some social activities such as attendance on political meeting, and those with more than 80m/min assisted family members in their home-works. It is assumed that MWS is a reliable predictor of daily life activities in ambulatory stroke patients.

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[in Japanese]

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