The isokinetic evaluation has been used in the last three decades as a method to determine the functional standard of strength and muscular balance. In Sports Medicine, its use has grown in the last ten years. It is possible to quantify absolute values of the torque, power, and potency of muscular groups as well as to determine relative values, that is, the agonist/antagonist ratio in such groups. The isokinetic evaluation may also be used as an ancillary method in the rehabilitation of sports lesions. The examination is performed at a constant and preset angular speed, be it slow, intermediate and/or fast. Most isokinetic studies and applications relate to the knee. On the one hand, in sports practice, it is important to establish the proportion of the agonist/antagonist muscular balance, that is, the flexor/extensor balance represented by the ischiotibial muscles/quadriceps, respectively. On the other hand, it is also important to compare the absolute values of the muscular function of right and left side for the quadriceps or the ischiotibial muscles. Altered results are usually related to sports lesions or their sequels. It would be interesting for athletes and the multidisciplinary team to have an objective and safe method of evaluation of the muscular function that provides reliable and reproducible data. It is also relevant that the isokinetic tests may be one additional criteria to consider resumption of sport activity after lesions. This review article aims at addressing some practical aspects of the knee isokinetic evaluation and its application to individuals who practice physical activities.
Isokinetic; Isokinetic evaluation; Knee; Sports Medicine; Muscular balance
