Assessment of agonist-antagonist shoulder torque ratios in individuals with paraplegia: a new interpretative approach.
METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate isokinetic shoulder flexor-extensor (F/E) and abductor-adductor (Ab/Ad) torque ratios in individuals with paraplegia using a new interpretative approach. We proposed to study torque ratios according to joint angle sections (15 degrees angle subgroups) over a selected range of motion.


METHODS
Pathokinesiology Laboratory, Montreal, Canada.


METHODS
Sixteen individuals with complete motor paraplegia, without shoulder pain or impairment, were included in this study. After a preloading period of 1 s, maximum isokinetic concentric contractions of all muscle groups were completed at 30, 60 and 120 degrees s(-1) over the entire tested ranges of motion (70 to -35 degrees for the flexion-extension and 15 to 60 degrees for the abduction-adduction). After the continuous torque curves were rebuilt, the mean F/E and Ab/Ad torque ratios were calculated and analyzed every 15 degrees.


RESULTS
A significant modification of the F/E (F=66.3; P<0.001) and Ab/Ad (F=100.6; P<0.001) torque ratios was observed according to the 15 degrees angle subgroup evaluated. More precisely, a progressive decline of both the F/E and Ab/Ad ratios was noted as the shoulder flexion or abduction progressed. Angular velocity did not have any influence on torque ratio values.


CONCLUSIONS
Angle subgroup torque ratio analysis leads to a better estimation of the balance between the agonist and antagonist muscle groups than does traditional peak torque ratio analysis. In individuals with paraplegia, this precise estimation of torque ratios may lead to the development of specific shoulder strengthening programs to prevent muscle imbalance and its consequences.
Dehail
P
P
Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation du Montréal métropolitain-Ecole de réadaptation, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
Gagnon
D
D
Noreau
L
L
Nadeau
S
S
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D007551:Isotonic Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D009142:Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012782:Shoulder / Q000294:innervation*; D019415:Torque