The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between joint moments in functional movement and joint moments in isokinetic testing. Isokinetic testing will be performed in order to quantify the maximal ankle, knee, and hip moments that subjects can create under isokinetic (open kinetic chain) conditions. Kinematic and kinetic data will be collected using a functional movement analysis system, while subjects ascend a stair while carrying increasing loads. The ankle, knee, and hip moments required to perform this functional (closed kinetic chain) task with maximum loads, will be compared to the maximum moments created during isokinetic testing. Clarification of the relationship between the joint moments required for functional movement and the joint moments measured during isokinetic testing may allow for predictions of functional capacity based on isokinetic strength testing. To date, two subjects have been evaluated. Kinetic data during stair ascent trials revealed an increase in the joint moments generated at the ankle, knee, and hip as loads were increased from no weight to 50% body weight.
