Quadriceps activation during maximal isometric and isokinetic contractions: The minimal real difference and its implications

• Published in: Isokinetics and exercise science Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 277 - 289
• Main Authors: Catino, Luigi, Malloggi, Chiara, Scarano, Stefano, Cerina, Valeria, Rota, Viviana, Tesio, Luigi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.01.2021
• Subjects: isokinetic; quadriceps; minimal real difference; rehabilitation; Voluntary activation
• ISSN: 0959-3020; 1878-5913
• DOI: 10.3233/IES-203241

BACKGROUND: A method of measurement of voluntary activation (VA, percent of full muscle recruitment) during isometric and isokinetic concentric contractions of the quadriceps femoris (QF) at 60 ∘ /s and 120 ∘ /s was previously validated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to quantify the test-retest minimal real difference (MRD) of VA during isometric (ISOM) and isokinetic concentric contractions of QF (100 ∘ /s, ISOK) in a sample of healthy individuals. METHODS: VA was measured through the interpolated twitch technique. Pairs of electrical stimuli were delivered to the QF at 40 ∘ of knee flexion during maximal voluntary contractions. Twenty-five healthy participants (20–38 years, 12 women, 13 men) completed two testing sessions with a 14-day interval. VA values were linearized through logit transformation (VA l ). The MRD was estimated from intraclass correlation coefficients (model 2.1). RESULTS: The VA (median, range) was 84.20% (38.2–99.9%) in ISOM and 94.22% (33.8–100%) in ISOK. MRD was 0.78 and 1.12 logit for ISOM and ISOK, respectively. As an example, in terms of percent VA these values correspond to a change from 76% to 95% and from 79% to 98% in ISOM and in ISOK, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The provided MRD values allow to detect significant individual changes in VA, as expected after training and rehabilitation programs.