Evaluation of body muscles with Biodex isocinetic dynometer. A systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Isokinetic dynamometry is a form of assessment of muscle performance. For trunk muscle groups, there is a need for special spine module acquisition, as in the case of Biodex models, very common in Brazil. However, the parameters to be used in the evaluation are not yet clear. Objective: To systematically review the literature to identify the isokinetic evaluation parameters of trunk muscles in Biodex brand dynamometers. Method: This is a systematic review study performed in the PubMed, CENTRAL, LILACS, PEDro and SCOPUS databases, which retrieved the oldest records until December 2018, and included studies using the Biodex isokinetic dynamometer to evaluate muscles, trunk, extracting protocol-related data. Results: We found 432 articles in the databases searched, leaving 44 studies for full reading. Of these, 4 were excluded because they used a non-isokinetic dynamometer and 21 because the dynamometer is from other brands and models. The final selection resulted in 19 articles included for discussion. Conclusion: Although heterogeneity between protocols was found, it was possible to identify parameters that are repeated in most studies, and a protocol was elaborated that evaluates trunk flexion and extension movements in the sitting position, the dynamometer axis aligned with the anterior iliac spine, higher, making a range of motion of 50° (20° extension and 30° flexion), angular velocity of 60 and 120°/s, a series of five repetitions concentrically and analyzing the peak torque.