Cybex Evaluation of the Relationship between Anterior and Posterior Compartment Lower Leg Muscles

Abstract

Twenty adult males were tested with the Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer, comparing in each leg the torque produced by the anterior and posterior muscle compartments. Significant torque is produced by the gastroc soleus muscle group, even when the knee is bent 90°. There is a significant increase in anterior compartment dorsiflexion torque produced with the knee in extension as compared to flexion. There is no difference in right or left handedness in comparing the results of torque generation in the lower extremity. On the average, dorsiflexion torque is approximately one-third of plantarflexion torque at slow speeds and half that of plantarflexion at fast speeds.