Selected isokinetic lifting parameters of adult male athletes utilizing lumbar/sacral supports.

This work was supported by Sentara Leigh Hospital, Physical Therapy Special Center, Norfolk, VA. The present investigation isokinetically evaluated the effects of two lumbar/sacral supports (LSS) upon peak lifting force, total muscular work, and average muscular power. Subjects consisted of 10, well conditioned male athletes with an age range of 21-35 years. Subjects were required to perform three counterbalanced testing sessions separated by a 7 day rest interval. Three lifting speeds (60.96, 76.2, and 91.44 cm/sec) were selected in accordance with a standard Cybex Liftask(R) protocol. No statistically significant (p < 0.05) isokinetic effects were recorded. Comparative grand means, however, demonstrated slight increases for peak lifting force and average muscular power (76.2 cm/sec) when subjects were assigned a LSS. Results may suggest functional lifting qualities attributed to utilizing a LSS while performing maximal lifting tasks. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1990;11(10):467-473.