Maximum voluntary joint torque as a function of joint angle and angular velocity: model development and application to the lower limb

Measurements of human strength can be important during analyses of physical activities. Such measurements have often taken the form of the maximum voluntary torque at a single joint angle and angular velocity. However, the available strength varies substantially with joint position and velocity. When examining dynamic activities, strength measurements should account for these variations. A model is presented of maximum voluntary joint torque as a function of joint angle and angular velocity. The model is based on well-known physiological relationships between muscle force and length and between muscle force and velocity and was tested by fitting it to maximum voluntary joint torque data from six different exertions in the lower limb. Isometric, concentric and eccentric maximum voluntary contractions were collected during hip extension, hip flexion, knee extension, knee flexion, ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion. Model parameters are reported for each of these exertion directions by gender and age group. This model provides an efficient method by which strength variations with joint angle and angular velocity may be incorporated into comparisons between joint torques calculated by inverse dynamics and the maximum available joint torques.     

Modelling the maximum voluntary joint torque/angular velocity relationship in human movement

The force exerted by a muscle is a function of the activation level and the maximum (tetanic) muscle force. In "maximum" voluntary knee extensions muscle activation is lower for eccentric muscle velocities than for concentric velocities. The aim of this study was to model this "differential activation" in order to calculate the maximum voluntary knee extensor torque as a function of knee angular velocity. Torque data were collected on two subjects during maximal eccentric-concentric knee extensions using an isovelocity dynamometer with crank angular velocities ranging from 50 to 450 degrees s(-1). The theoretical tetanic torque/angular velocity relationship was modelled using a four parameter function comprising two rectangular hyperbolas while the activation/angular velocity relationship was modelled using a three parameter function that rose from submaximal activation for eccentric velocities to full activation for high concentric velocities. The product of these two functions gave a seven parameter function which was fitted to the joint torque/angular velocity data, giving unbiased root mean square differences of 1.9% and 3.3% of the maximum torques achieved. Differential activation accounts for the non-hyperbolic behaviour of the torque/angular velocity data for low concentric velocities. The maximum voluntary knee extensor torque that can be exerted may be modelled accurately as the product of functions defining the maximum torque and the maximum voluntary activation level. Failure to include differential activation considerations when modelling maximal movements will lead to errors in the estimation of joint torque in the eccentric phase and low velocity concentric phase.     

In vivo changes in the human patellar tendon moment arm length with different modes and intensities of muscle contraction

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of different muscle contraction modes and intensities on patellar tendon moment arm length (d(PT)). Five men performed isokinetic concentric, eccentric and passive knee extensions at an angular velocity of 60 deg/s and six men performed gradually increasing to maximum effort isometric muscle contractions at 90( composite function) and 20( composite function) of knee flexion. During the tests, lateral X-ray fluoroscopy imaging was used to scan the knee joint. The d(PT) differences between the passive state and the isokinetic concentric and extension were quantified at 15( composite function) intervals of knee joint flexion angle. Furthermore, the changes of the d(PT) as a function of the isometric muscle contraction intensities were determined during the isometric knee extension at 90( composite function) and 20( composite function) of knee joint flexion. Muscle contraction-induced changes in knee joint flexion angle during the isometric muscle contraction were also taken into account for the d(PT) measurements. During the two isometric knee extensions, d(PT) increased from rest to maximum voluntary muscle contraction (MVC) by 14-15%. However, when changes in knee joint flexion angle induced by the muscle contraction were taken into account, d(PT) during MVC increased by 6-26% compared with rest. Moreover, d(PT) increased during concentric and eccentric knee extension by 3-15%, depending on knee flexion angle, compared with passive knee extension. These findings have important implications for estimating musculoskeletal loads using modelling under static and dynamic conditions.     

Static and dynamic assessment of the Biodex dynamometer

The validity and accuracy of the Biodex dynamometer was investigated under static and dynamic conditions. Static torque and angular position output correlated well with externally derived data (r = 0.998 and r greater than 0.999, respectively). Three subjects performed maximal voluntary knee extensions and flexions at angular velocities from 60 to 450 degrees.s-1. Using linear accelerometry, high speed filming and Biodex software, data were collected for lever arm angular velocity and linear accelerations, and subject generated torque. Analysis of synchronized angular position and velocity changes revealed the dynamometer controlled angular velocity of the lever arm to within 3.5% of the preset value. Small transient velocity overshoots were apparent on reaching the set velocity. High frequency torque artefacts were observed at all test velocities, but most noticeably at the faster speeds, and were associated with lever arm accelerations accompanying directional changes, application of resistive torques by the dynamometer, and limb instability. Isokinematic torques collected from ten subjects (240, 300 and 400 degrees.s-1) identified possible errors associated with reporting knee extension torques at 30 degrees of flexion. As a result of tissue and padding compliance, leg extension angular velocity exceeded lever arm angular velocity over most of the range of motion, while during flexion this compliance meant that knee and lever arm angles were not always identical, particularly at the start of motion. Nevertheless, the Biodex dynamometer was found to be both a valid and an accurate research tool; however, caution must be exercised when interpreting and ascribing torques and angular velocities to the limb producing motion.     

Knee and ankle joint torque-angle relationships of multi-joint leg extension

The force-length-relation (F-l-r) is an important property of skeletal muscle to characterise its function, whereas for in vivo human muscles, torque-angle relationships (T-a-r) represent the maximum muscular capacity as a function of joint angle. However, since in vivo force/torque-length data is only available for rotational single-joint movements the purpose of the present study was to identify torque-angle-relationships for multi-joint leg extension. Therefore, inverse dynamics served for calculation of ankle and knee joint torques of 18 male subjects when performing maximum voluntary isometric contractions in a seated leg press. Measurements in increments of 10° knee angle from 30° to 100° knee flexion resulted in eight discrete angle configurations of hip, knee and ankle joints. For the knee joint we found an ascending-descending T-a-r with a maximum torque of 289.5° ± 43.3 Nm, which closely matches literature data from rotational knee extension. In comparison to literature we observed a shift of optimum knee angle towards knee extension. In contrast, the T-a-r of the ankle joint vastly differed from relationships obtained for isolated plantar flexion. For the ankle T-a-r derived from multi-joint leg extension subjects operated over different sections of the force-length curve, but the ankle T-a-r derived from isolated joint efforts was over the ascending limb for all subjects. Moreover, mean maximum torque of 234.7 ± 56.6 Nm exceeded maximal strength of isolated plantar flexion (185.7 ± 27.8 Nm). From these findings we conclude that muscle function between isolated and more physiological multi-joint tasks differs. This should be considered for ergonomic and sports optimisation as well as for modelling and simulation of human movement.     

EMG-angle relationship of the hamstring muscles during maximum knee flexion.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the EMG-joint angle relationship during voluntary contraction with maximum effort and the differences in activity among three hamstring muscles during knee flexion. Ten healthy subjects performed maximum voluntary isometric and isokinetic knee flexion. The isometric tests were performed for 5 s at knee angles of 60 and 90 degrees. The isokinetic test, which consisted of knee flexion from 0 to 120 degrees in the prone position, was performed at an angular velocity of 30 degrees /s (0.523 rad/s). The knee flexion torque was measured using a KIN-COM isokinetic dynamometer. The individual EMG activity of the hamstrings, i.e. the semitendinosus, semimembranosus, long head of the biceps femoris and short head of the biceps femoris muscles, was detected using a bipolar fine wire electrode. With isometric testing, the knee flexion torque at 60 degrees knee flexion was greater than that at 90 degrees. The mean peak isokinetic torque occurred from 15 to 30 degrees knee flexion angle and then the torque decreased as the knee angle increased (p<0.01). The EMG activity of the hamstring muscles varied with the change in knee flexion angle except for the short head of the biceps femoris muscle under isometric condition. With isometric contraction, the integrated EMGs of the semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles at a knee flexion angle of 60 degrees were significantly lower than that at 90 degrees. During maximum isokinetic contraction, the integrated EMGs of the semitendinosus, semimembranosus and short head of the biceps femoris muscles increased significantly as the knee angle increased from 0 to 105 degrees of knee flexion (p<0.05). On the other hand, the integrated EMG of the long head of the biceps femoris muscle at a knee angle of 60 degrees was significantly greater than that at 90 degrees knee flexion with isometric testing (p<0.01). During maximum isokinetic contraction, the integrated EMG was the greatest at a knee angle between 15 and 30 degrees, and then significantly decreased as the knee angle increased from 30 to 120 degrees (p<0.01). These results demonstrate that the EMG activity of hamstring muscles during maximum isometric and isokinetic knee flexion varies with change in muscle length or joint angle, and that the activity of the long head of the biceps femoris muscle differs considerably from the other three heads of hamstrings.     

A dynamometer for the measurement of the extension torque of the lower leg during static and dynamic contractions of the quadriceps femoris muscle

A dynamometer which makes an angular movement is described. The dynamometer enables the measurement of the extension torque of the lower leg at different knee angles during static and slow concentric and eccentric contractions of the quadriceps femoris muscle. The influence of gravity on the measured torque signal can be compensated for by another signal representing the angular movement. The application of the dynamometer is demonstrated by giving an example of measurement.     

Contraction type influences the human ability to use the available torque capacity of skeletal muscle during explosive efforts

The influence of contraction type on the human ability to use the torque capacity of skeletal muscle during explosive efforts has not been documented. Fourteen male participants completed explosive voluntary contractions of the knee extensors in four separate conditions: concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC); and isometric at two knee angles (101°, ISO101 and 155°, ISO155). In each condition, torque was measured at 25 ms intervals up to 150 ms from torque onset, and then normalized to the maximum voluntary torque (MVT) specific to that joint angle and angular velocity. Explosive voluntary torque after 50 ms in each condition was also expressed as a percentage of torque generated after 50 ms during a supramaximal 300 Hz electrically evoked octet in the same condition. Explosive voluntary torque normalized to MVT was more than 60 per cent larger in CON than any other condition after the initial 25 ms. The percentage of evoked torque expressed after 50 ms of the explosive voluntary contractions was also greatest in CON (ANOVA; p < 0.001), suggesting higher concentric volitional activation. This was confirmed by greater agonist electromyography normalized to M(max) (recorded during the explosive voluntary contractions) in CON. These results provide novel evidence that the ability to use the muscle's torque capacity explosively is influenced by contraction type, with concentric contractions being more conducive to explosive performance due to a more effective neural strategy.     

The relationship between joint strength and standing vertical jump performance

The effect of joint strengthening on standing vertical jump height is investigated by computer simulation. The human model consists of five rigid segments representing the feet, shanks, thighs, HT (head and trunk), and arms. Segments are connected by frictionless revolute joints and model movement is driven by joint torque actuators. Each joint torque is the product of maximum isometric torque and three variable functions of instantaneous joint angle, angular velocity, and activation level, respectively. Jumping movements starting from a balanced initial posture and ending at takeoff are simulated. A matching simulation reproducing the actual jumping movement is generated by optimizing joint activation level. Simulations with the goal of maximizing jump height are repeated for varying maximum isometric torque of one joint by up to +/-20% while keeping other joint strength values unchanged. Similar to previous studies, reoptimization of activation after joint strengthening is necessary for increasing jump height. The knee and ankle are the most effective joints in changing jump height (by as much as 2.4%, or 3 cm). For the same amount of percentage increase/decrease in strength, the shoulder is the least effective joint (which changes height by as much as 0.6%), but its influence should not be overlooked.     

Human skeletal muscle fibre types and force: velocity properties

It has been reported that there is a relationship between power output and fibre type distribution in mixed muscle. The strength of this relationship is greater in the range of 3–8 rad · s^–1 during knee extension compared to slower or faster angular knee extensor speeds. A mathematical model of the force: velocity properties of muscle with various combinations of fast- and slow-twitch fibres may provide insight into why specific velocities may give better predictions of fibre type distribution. In this paper, a mathematical model of the force: velocity relationship for mixed muscle is presented. This model demonstrates that peak power and optimal velocity should be predictive of fibre distribution and that the greatest fibre type discrimination in human knee extensor muscles should occur with measurement of power output at an angular velocity just greater than 7 rad · s^–1. Measurements of torque: angular velocity relationships for knee extension on an isokinetic dynamometer and fibre type distribution in biopsies of vastus lateralis muscles were made on 31 subjects. Peak power and optimal velocity were determined in three ways: (1) direct measurement, (2) linear regression, and (3) fitting to the Hill equation. Estimation of peak power and optimal velocity using the Hill equation gave the best correlation with fibre type distribution (r > 0.5 for peak power or optimal velocity and percentage of fast-twitch fibres). The results of this study confirm that prediction of fibre type distribution is facilitated by measurement of peak power at optimal velocity and that fitting of the data to the Hill equation is a suitable method for evaluation of these parameters.     

The interaction of muscle moment arm,knee laxity,and torque in a multi-scale musculoskeletal model of the lower limb

IntroductionMusculoskeletal modeling allows insight into the interaction of muscle force and knee joint kinematics that cannot be measured in the laboratory. However, musculoskeletal models of the lower extremity commonly use simplified representations of the knee that may limit analyses of the interaction between muscle forces and joint kinematics. The goal of this research was to demonstrate how muscle forces alter knee kinematics and consequently muscle moment arms and joint torque in a musculoskeletal model of the lower limb that includes a deformable representation of the knee.MethodsTwo musculoskeletal models of the lower limb including specimen-specific articular geometries and ligament deformability at the knee were built in a finite element framework and calibrated to match mean isometric torque data collected from 12 healthy subjects. Muscle moment arms were compared between simulations of passive knee flexion and maximum isometric knee extension and flexion. In addition, isometric torque results were compared with predictions using simplified knee models in which the deformability of the knee was removed and the kinematics at the joint were prescribed for all degrees of freedom.ResultsPeak isometric torque estimated with a deformable knee representation occurred between 45° and 60° in extension, and 45° in flexion. The maximum isometric flexion torques generated by the models with deformable ligaments were 14.6% and 17.9% larger than those generated by the models with prescribed kinematics; by contrast, the maximum isometric extension torques generated by the models were similar. The change in hamstrings moment arms during isometric flexion was greater than that of the quadriceps during isometric extension (a mean RMS difference of 9.8 mm compared to 2.9 mm, respectively).DiscussionThe large changes in the moment arms of the hamstrings, when activated in a model with deformable ligaments, resulted in changes to flexion torque. When simulating human motion, the inclusion of a deformable joint in a multi-scale musculoskeletal finite element model of the lower limb may preserve the realistic interaction of muscle force with knee kinematics and torque.     

An evaluation of different protocols for measuring the force-velocity relationship of the human quadriceps muscles

A modified Cybex II isokinetic dynamometer was used to evaluate the problems associated with measuring the concentric force-velocity characteristics of human knee extensor muscles. Three contraction protocols were investigated, simple voluntary contractions (VC); releases from maximal voluntary isometric contractions (VR) and releases from. isometric femoral nerve stimulated contractions (FNR). Percutaneous stimulation of the quadriceps was unsuitable for dynamic contractions as the proportion of the muscle activated varied with the angle of knee flexion. Isometric length-tension relationships and isokinetic contractions at seven angular velocities between 0.5 and 5.2 rad · s^–1 were recorded in five subjects. During isometric and slow dynamic contractions the voluntary forces were often greater than those obtained by femoral nerve stimulation, probably due to subjects stretching the rectus femoris during voluntary manoeuvres. It was found that the VC protocol produced acceptable isokinetic force recordings only at velocities below 3.1 rad · s^–1 in most subjects whilst VR contractions resulted in unexpectedly low forces at velocities below 1.57 rad · s^–1. Of the three techniques employed, FNR, although uncomfortable for subjects, provided the most accurate and reliable method of measuring force-velocity characteristics of knee extensor muscles. FNR contractions produced a force-velocity curve which showed a smooth decline in force with increasing velocity up to 5.2 rad · s^–1. VC contractions appear to be an acceptable alternative for testing the muscles provided the angular velocity is less than 3.1 rad · s^–1 and the subjects can be prevented from stretching the rectus femoris during the movement.     

In vivo vastus lateralis force–velocity relationship at the fascicle and muscle tendon unit level

The force velocity relationship of in vivo human muscle fibers has often been derived from the torque-angular speed relationship during maximal voluntary isokinetic contractions. However, the assumption of a close association between joint performance and muscle mechanics is questionable. We aimed to determine the relationship between knee extension angular speeds, vastus lateralis fascicle and muscle tendon unit (MTU) shortening speeds, and maximal knee extensor force for the entire range of knee joint movement, for the isokinetic range, and for the ranges before, after and at peak torque occurrence, with different commonly used pre-loading conditions. Higher peak forces were observed when knee extensions were preceded by a pre-load, despite the similarity in fascicle shortening speeds. For the entire and the isokinetic range, MTU always shortened faster than fascicles, and this difference increased as joint speed increased. Interestingly, fascicle shortening velocities were greater before compared to after peak torque occurrence while the opposite happened at the MTU level. Assuming a close relationship between joint and fascicle dynamics results in an overestimation of muscle contractile component shortening velocity or force production at peak torque. The force velocity relationships obtained in vivo depend crucially on the test conditions, and the movement range used for analysis.     

Relationship between neuromuscular fatigue and spasticity in chronic stroke patients: A pilot study

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to assess the effects of neuromuscular fatigue on stretch reflex-related torque and electromyographic activity of spastic knee extensor muscles in hemiplegic patients. The second aim was to characterize the time course of quadriceps muscle fatigue during repetitive concentric contractions.MethodsEighteen patients performed passive, isometric and concentric isokinetic evaluations before and after a fatigue protocol using an isokinetic dynamometer. Voluntary strength and spasticity were evaluated following the simultaneous recording of torque and electromyographic activity of rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL) and biceps femoris (BF).ResultsIsometric knee extension torque and the root mean square (RMS) value of VL decreased in the fatigued state. During the fatigue protocol, the normalized peak torque decreased whereas the RMS of RF and BF increased between the first five and last five contractions. There was a linear decrease in the neuromuscular efficiency-repetitions relationships for RF and VL. The peak resistive torque and the normalized RMS of RF and VL during passive stretching movements were not modified by the fatigue protocol for any stretch velocity.DiscussionThis study showed that localized quadriceps muscle fatigue caused a decrease in voluntary strength which did not modify spasticity intensity. Changes in the distribution of muscle fiber type, with a greater number of slow fibers on the paretic side, may explain why the stretch reflex was not affected by fatigue.     

Evidence of residual force enhancement for multi-joint leg extension

Force enhancement is a well accepted property of skeletal muscle and has been observed at all structural levels ranging from single myofibrils to voluntarily activated m. quadriceps femoris in vivo. However, force enhancement has not been studied for multi-joint movements like human leg extension; therefore knowledge about its relevance in daily living remains limited. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is force enhancement during maximal voluntary multi-joint leg extension. Human leg extension was studied (n=22) on a motor driven leg press dynamometer where external reaction forces under the feet as well as activity of 8 lower extremity muscles were measured. In addition, torque in the ankle and knee joints was calculated using inverse dynamics. The steady-state isometric force, joint torques, and muscle activation after active stretch (20° stretch amplitude at 60°/s) were compared with the corresponding values obtained during isometric reference contractions. There was consistent force enhancement during and following stretch for both forces and joint torques. Potentiation during stretch reached values between 26% and 30%, while a significant force enhancement of 10.5–12.3% and 4.3–7.4% remained 0.5–1 and 2.5–3 s after stretch, respectively. During stretch, EMG signals of m. gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis were significantly increased, while following stretch all analyzed muscles showed the same activity as during the reference contractions. We conclude from these results that force enhancement exists in everyday movements and should be accounted for when analyzing or modelling human movement.     

Effects of age on human muscle torque, velocity, and power in two muscle groups.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that, under isovelocity conditions, older compared with young humans would 1). be slower to reach target velocity and 2). exhibit a downward shift in the torque-velocity and power-velocity relationships in the ankle dorsiflexor and knee extensor muscles. We studied 12 young (26 +/- 5 yr, 6 men/6 women) and 12 older (72 +/- 6 yr, 6 men/6 women) healthy adults during maximal voluntary concentric contractions at preset target velocities (dorsiflexion: 0-240 degrees /s; knee extension: 0-400 degrees /s) using an isokinetic dynamometer. The time to target velocity was longer in older subjects in the dorsiflexors and knee extensors (both P 相似文献   

Estimations of relative effort during sit-to-stand increase when accounting for variations in maximum voluntary torque with joint angle and angular velocity

The main purpose of this study was to compare three methods of determining relative effort during sit-to-stand (STS). Fourteen young (mean 19.6 ± SD 1.2 years old) and 17 older (61.7 ± 5.5 years old) adults completed six STS trials at three speeds: slow, normal, and fast. Sagittal plane joint torques at the hip, knee, and ankle were calculated through inverse dynamics. Isometric and isokinetic maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) for the hip, knee, and ankle were collected and used for model parameters to predict the participant-specific maximum voluntary joint torque. Three different measures of relative effort were determined by normalizing STS joint torques to three different estimates of maximum voluntary torque. Relative effort at the hip, knee, and ankle were higher when accounting for variations in maximum voluntary torque with joint angle and angular velocity (hip = 26.3 ± 13.5%, knee = 78.4 ± 32.2%, ankle = 27.9 ± 14.1%) compared to methods which do not account for these variations (hip = 23.5 ± 11.7%, knee = 51.7 ± 15.0%, ankle = 20.7 ± 10.4%). At higher velocities, the difference in calculating relative effort with respect to isometric MVC or incorporating joint angle and angular velocity became more evident. Estimates of relative effort that account for the variations in maximum voluntary torque with joint angle and angular velocity may provide higher levels of accuracy compared to methods based on measurements of maximal isometric torques.     

Power produced by maximal velocity elbow flexion

An analysis of horizontal elbow flexion at maximal velocity was made to determine how different loads affected power output. Twenty male subjects operated a specially constructed dynamometer initially performing a maximal effort isometric trial with the elbow fully extended and then three dynamic trials at each of three loads equal to 75, 50, and 25 per cent of the maximal isometric strength. Angular acceleration was used to calculate forearm torque, and power was obtained by taking the product of torque and angular velocity. Power was found to be a cubic function of time and a fourth-order polynomial function of angular displacement reaching a peak early in the movement. The 50 per cent load resulted in a higher peak level of power than either the 25 or 75 per cent loads.     

Sensitivity of dynamic simulations of gait and dynamometer experiments to hill muscle model parameters of knee flexors and extensors

We assessed and compared sensitivities of dynamic simulations to musculotendon (MT) parameters for gait and dynamometer experiments. Our aim with this comparison was to investigate whether dynamometer experiments could provide information about MT-parameters that are important to reliably study MT-function during gait. This would mean that dynamometer experiments could be used to estimate these parameters. Muscle contribution to the joint torque (MT-torque) rather than relative MT-force primarily affects the resulting gait pattern and torque measured by the dynamometer. In contrast to recent studies, therefore, we assessed the sensitivity of the MT-torque, rather than the sensitivity of the relative MT-force. Based on sensitivity of the MT-torque to a parameter perturbation, MT-parameters of the knee flexors and extensors were classified in three categories: low, medium, and high. For gait, classification was based on the average sensitivity during a gait cycle. For isometric and isokinetic dynamometer experiments, classification was based on the highest sensitivity found in the experiments. The calculated muscle contributions to the knee torque during gait and dynamometer experiments had a high sensitivity to only a limited number of MT-parameters of the knee flexors and extensors, suggesting that not all MT-parameters need to be estimated. In general, the highest sensitivity was found for tendon slack length. However, for some muscles the sensitivity to the optimal fibre length or the maximal isometric muscle force was also high or medium. The classification of the individual MT-parameters for gait and dynamometer experiments was largely similar. We therefore conclude that dynamometer experiments provide information about MT-parameters important to reliably study MT-function during gait, so that subject-specific estimates of MT-parameters could be made based on dynamometer experiments.     

Relation between Peak Power Output in Sprint Cycling and Maximum Voluntary Isometric Torque Production

From a cycling paradigm, little has been done to understand the relationships between maximal isometric strength of different single joint lower body muscle groups and their relation with, and ability to predict PPO and how they compare to an isometric cycling specific task. The aim of this study was to establish relationships between maximal voluntary torque production from isometric single-joint and cycling specific tasks and assess their ability to predict PPO. Twenty male trained cyclists participated in this study. Peak torque was measured by performing maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) of knee extensors, knee flexors, dorsi flexors and hip extensors whilst instrumented cranks measured isometric peak torque from MVC when participants were in their cycling specific position (ISOCYC). A stepwise regression showed that peak torque of the knee extensors was the only significant predictor of PPO when using SJD and accounted for 47% of the variance. However, when compared to ISOCYC, the only significant predictor of PPO was ISOCYC, which accounted for 77% of the variance. This suggests that peak torque of the knee extensors was the best single-joint predictor of PPO in sprint cycling. Furthermore, a stronger prediction can be made from a task specific isometric task.