Sensors, Vol. 22, Pages 135: A Custom-Made Lower Limb Dynamometer for Assessing Ankle Joint Torque in Humans: Calibration and Measurement Procedures

Sensors, Vol. 22, Pages 135: A Custom-Made Lower Limb Dynamometer for Assessing Ankle Joint Torque in Humans: Calibration and Measurement Procedures Sensors doi: 10.3390/s22010135 Authors: Iulia Iovanca Drăgoi Florina Georgeta Popescu Teodor Petrița Romulus Fabian Tatu Cosmina Ioana Bondor Carmen Tatu Frank L. Bowling Neil D. Reeves Mihai Ionac Custom-made dynamometry was shown to objectively analyze human muscle strength around the ankle joint with accuracy, easy portability and low costs. This paper describes the full method of calibration and measurement setup and the measurement procedure when capturing ankle torque for establishing reliability of a portable custom-built electronic dynamometer. After considering the load cell offset voltage, the pivotal position was determined, and calibration with loads followed. Linear regression was used for calculating the proportionality constant between torque and measured voltage. Digital means were used for data collection and processing. Four healthy consenting participants were enrolled in the study. Three consecutive maximum voluntary isometric contractions of five seconds each were registered for both feet during plantar flexion/dorsiflexion, and ankle torque was then calculated for three ankle inclinations. A calibration procedure resulted, comprising determination of the pivotal axis and pedal constant. Using the obtained data, a measurement procedure was proposed. Obtained contraction time graphs l...
Source: Sensors - Category: Biotechnology Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research
More News: Biotechnology | Study