Effects of age, testing speed, and arm dominance on isokinetic strength of the elbow

The strength of active flexion/extension and supination/pronation was measured isokinetically in 60 right-hand-dominant nonathletic men. They were equally divided into a younger group (20 to 30 years) and an older group (50 to 60 years) with moderate occupational and spare-time activity levels. Peak torque, work, power, and the angle of peak torque production were measured bilaterally at a slow (90°/sec) and a fast (180°/sec) speed of movement. Although highly significant differences were found between the young and older groups in flexion and extension, no age-related differences were found in supination and pronation. The dominant side had significantly higher levels of peak torque, work, and power in flexion; however, no significant differences were detected in peak torque for extension, supination, and pronation. Isokinetic peak torque and work were greater at the slower speed as opposed to power, which was significantly greater at the faster speed with the exception of pronation movement. With regard to the angle where peak torque was achieved, significant differences were detected between groups, which suggests that age appears to affect where in the range of motion peak torque is produced. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1997;6:340-6.)