Effect of isokinetic training on quadriceps peak torgue in healthy subjects and patients with burn injury.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the improvement rate of quadriceps muscle peak torque in healthy subjects and patients with burn injuries after an isokinetic training programme. SUBJECTS: Thirty male volunteers, 15 healthy and 15 subjects with burn injury after complete healing, participated in the study. METHODS: Concentric and eccentric torque of quadriceps was measured for both groups using an isokinetic dynamometer before and after 6 weeks of isokinetic training. The tests were performed at angular velocities of 30°/s and 90°/s. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the quadricep speak torque for both groups at both angular velocities after isokinetic training. During eccentric contraction at angular velocities of 30°/s and 90°/s the percentage improvement in the burned group was higher than in the healthy group(p = 0.003 and p = 0.0008, respectively). During concentric contraction at an angular velocity of 30°/s the percentage improvement in the burned group was higher than the healthy group (p = 0.020). However, during concentric contraction at an angular velocity of 90°/s there was no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.742). CONCLUSION: The isokinetic training programme was effective in increasing the concentric and eccentric peak torque of the quadriceps muscle for healthy subjects and patients with burn injuries.