Adaptation of a foot plate for use in an isokinetic and isotonic leg press.
The use of isokinetic equipment and the leg press exercise have been major components of rehabilitation for the past several years when redeveloping muscular strength. Recently, closed kinetic chain exercises have been shown to be more beneficial and have less adverse affects on the knee when rehabilitating a patient's lower extremity. The purpose of this article is to introduce the leg press foot plate to the rehabilitative community. This foot plate is a versatile piece of equipment that has been adapted for use with various isokinetic, isometric, and isotonic devices in order to do leg press exercises. The device allows for closed kinetic chain strengthening and testing from equipment typically used only for open kinetic chain activities.
Herbert K. Amato is Athletic Training Curriculum Director at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807.
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