Isokinetic dynamometer

Isokinetism refers to a mode of dynamic voluntary muscle contraction whose particularity is to take place at a constant speed thanks to a self-adjusting resistance. This speed regulation is provided by an external device called an «isokinetic dynamometer».

The patient acts on a mechanism or receptor. Its action cannot exceed the speed programmed by the clinician. As long as the patient stays below this speed, he will encounter no resistance during the movement. The effort becomes significant as soon as the patient reaches the requested speed. The resistance of the machine adapts at all times to the effort developed to keep the speed constant. If for various reasons (onset of pain, muscle failure), the effort developed by the patient decreases, the resistance of the dynamometer decreases in order to allow the patient to maintain his working speed. In this way, through a sensor, it becomes possible to know, at any point of the movement, the force developed by the patient.