2007 OITE Question 264

Question

Which of the following best describes isokinetic strengthening?

1- Movement at a constant speed

2- Using the body weight for resistance

3- Resistance without joint movement

4- Resistance against a constant force

5- Resistance while the muscle lengthens

Figures

Answer (click for answer)

The correct answer is 1- Movement at a constant speed

Iso = constant or equal. Kinetic = speed. They ask questions like this every year. The types of muscle contractions or strengthening they always love to ask are isotonic (muscle tension is constant throughout the ROM, i.e., lifting a free weight – answer 4 is discussing this), isometric (muscle tension is generated but the length of the muscle stays unchanged, i.e., pushing against a wall – answer 3 is discussing this), isokinetic (muscle tension is generated as the muscle maximally contracts at a constant velocity throughout the ROM, i.e., using special weight equipment like Cybex – answer 1 is discussing this, the correct answer), concentric (a muscle that shortens during a contraction, i.e., a biceps curl), and eccentric (a muscle that lengthens during a contraction, i.e., a "negative" like extending after a biceps curl – answer 5 is discussing this). I got all of these definitions from Miller (p. 70, Table 1-30), which describes them well.

Reference: