Maximal Isometric Tension of the Elbow Extensors at Varied Positions: Part 1. Assessment by Cable Tensiometer

The tension of the elbow extensors of the dominant arm of forty-one normal male subjects was measured on two different occasions by cable tensiometer during maximal isometric contractions. The elbow positions were varied randomly between 60, 90, and 120 degrees from full extension. Differences in the tensions measured at these elbow positions were analyzed using an analysis of variance. The resulting F-ratio was significant at the .01 level. The post hoc test revealed significant differences between the 60-, 90-, and 120-degree positions. The mean of the 60-degree position was lowest (35.8 lb [16.2 kg], S.D. = 7.91 lb [3.6 kg]), while the 90-degree position (mean = 48.8 lb [22.1 kg], S.D. = 14.83 lb [6.7 kg]), was the greatest computed among the three different angles. The subsequent retest results supported those of the initial test. The reliability coefficients (test-retest) for the cable tensiometer method were .775, .749, and .723 for the 120-, 90-, and 60-degree positions, respectively.