Kinesiologic Cabinet, Ulica talcev 9, SI-2000 Maribor, Slovenia, Europe

Department for physical and rehabilitation medicine
OU Primary healthcare

If you wish to establish your muscle force state prior to recreational or professional sports activity, you can make an appointment against payment every working day from noon until 1 p.m. on the following phone number: 02 22 86 207 or write an e-mail to: kinezio.vesna.leskovec@zd-mb.si.

Isometric dynamometric muscle force measurement in kinesiologic cabinet

	M. Sc. Vesna LESKOVEC, P. T., B. Sc. Org., kinesiologyn, independent expert co-operator, Head of Kinesiologic Cabinet

In the functional diagnostics of movement capabilities of patients with damages in the locomotoric apparatus, in the Health Centre Dr. Adolf Drolc, OU Primary healthcare, Kinesiologic Cabinet, a dynamometre MYOROM (Blankenship system, Macon, Georgia, USA), supported with a software, is being used. The measurement is painless and does not affect one's health.

On the basis of the results of specific muscle group force measurements, it is possible to determine the patient's cooperation or noncooperation with the execution, neurological deficit with the belonging muscles, muscle group force magnitude and pain. With a comparison of the left to the right side of the body, we get instant values, expressed in percentage, and average deficit of the muscle weakness of all measured muscles.

Muscle force evaluation

Muscle force evaluation is one of the basic starting-points when it comes to muscular function evaluation, meaning mainly movements, simple and more complex ones. Manual muscle force evaluation, which is usually more common here, offers relatively small evaluation reliability. Thus, dynamometric measurements which offer rather precise quantitative motive function evaluation are coming into effect in functional diagnostics of movement capabilities of patients suffering from locomotive apparatus troubles. Besides the basic parameter which is developed by muscular contraction and represented by muscle force it is also possible with the aid of dynamometric devices, except the relatively simple static measurements of isometric contraction (isometric dynamometry), to measure persistence and tiredness with isokinetic movements. Moreover, we can measure accelerations and velocity of the movement also in isotonic conditions; of course, such an evaluation is feasible only with the aid of modern dynamometric devices. Such functional capability evaluation systems enable better basis for planning the locomotor rehabilitation, especially kinesiotherapy, and represent a valuable helping tool and enrichment of objectivity of muscle function measurements in each department of physical medicine.

Various systems for appropriate functional capability evaluation of the subject in rehabilitation have been used abroad for several years now. The USA, Japan, Scandinavian countries, United Kingdom, and Germany have a great advantage in this field in comparison with other countries. In Slovenia, there are some similar systems at the Institute for Rehabilitation of the Republic of Slovenia, in Ljubljana, and at the Faculty of Sports, in Ljubljana.

Measurement goals

Since 1. 5. 1998, I have performed a series of dynamometric measurements of the body. On the basis of these and other results, as well as the Saunders programme (USA), I then produce an individual targeted programme of kinesiotherapy for an individual patient. This programme is monitored, supplemented, and updated as the therapy proceeds. The team consists of all; the patient, physiatrist, Mag. Sci. of kinesiology, physiotherapist, and nurse.

As soon as the patient is in command of the programme, they perform it at their home up to the day when the control measurements are taking place. Then, the patient's functional state is evaluated and further instructions given. With regard to the measurement results, the patients also receives written instructions for targeted exercises of kinesiotherapy, equipped with pictures, regarding basic worming-up, stretching of muscles and joint-surrounding structures, up to the strengthening and relaxation of the body.

After the treatment, the patients receive additional instructions on how to retain good psychophysical state.

With 87% of the measured and in this way educated patients, we have received positive results in the sense of increasing the muscle force of the deficit muscles, improving the psychomotor state of the patients, reducing the pain, improving the quality of life, and their renewed inclusion into the work process. With this, the patient is also motivated for kinesiotherapy, because they can monitor their state along the way and are active members of their rehabilitation.

The purpose and goals have been reached, when we have established that:

• the patients are pleased with this kind of treatment and their pain reduces or completely disappears;
• the time of treatment and inactivity has shortened;
• the patients are aware of the fact that they can control and prevent the pain in their locomotive apparatus themselves;
• the patients regularly take care of their muscular corset and recreate themselves in their free time;
• the patients have appropriately adjusted their working and life environment;
• the patients find time for rest and relaxation;

Results

In a short time, we have come to the results that support our endeavours and necessity of using such an approach to dealing with the problem. We are constantly monitoring and researching the results of the measurements and our experiences with the interdisciplinary work.