Definition - What does Isokinetic mean?
Isokinetic is a clinical term that refers to strength training of a target muscle group using specially designed exercise equipment featuring graduated modes of resistance at a constant speed level to accommodate the biomechanical functionality of a patient during the rehabilitation process. Occupational therapists and physical therapists administer isokinetic strength exercises to enhance muscular strength, improve flexibility, build tolerance, and facilitate the range of motion (ROM) at the affected site of the body.
SureHire explains Isokinetic
Isokinetic exercises stimulate muscle contraction at a steady velocity, serving as a mainstay for gauging the relative degree of functional limitations that a patient can tolerate. In rehabilitation settings, isokinetic strength training promotes sensorimotor function by allowing the patient to exert the force necessary to sustain pressure against incremental stages of resistance to achieve fatigue without incurring muscle sprain/strain. Healthcare specialists employ isokinetic exercises for their dynamic versatility in helping patients to recover from an injury or a stroke, bolstering homeostasis, developing balance and coordination, and promoting emotional welfare via the release of endorphins.
In the workplace, functional capacity testing incorporates isokinetic testing as a modality for establishing whether applicants or returning employees after a hiatus of rehabilitation can demonstrate the physical demands to qualify for job placement or reinstatement. Consequently, this methodology can potentially minimize or curb the incidence rate for injuries, offsetting absenteeism, high medical expenditures, and worker's compensation costs. Moreover, workplace wellness programs are an effective avenue for leveraging health and fitness education between employers and their workforce, translating to the corporate image of streamlining productivity to optimize the quality of life and maximize profits.
In the context of strength training, isokinetic exercises can be tailored around an individual’s physical capacity to apply exertion at a consistent rate of speed against resistance variables, a beneficial aspect for people with injuries in consolidating muscle strength and overall endurance. The coordination between healthcare practitioners and employers in utilizing isokinetic exercises operates as a determining factor for applicants and employees with functional limitations to meet physical job demands under the appropriate health and safety guidelines.
