Muscle testing is a technique used to assess the strength and overall function of the body's muscles. The basic premise behind testing a muscle is to obtain baseline data on that muscle's strength. This allows us to determine if muscle weakness contributes to a person’s current injury and gives us a way to track their improvements in strength over time.
A Tindeq is a small rectangular device that functions as a dynamometer or a load cell. This means that it is designed to measure force output in pounds. The Tindeq is used in physical therapy to measure the strength of a person's muscles. Although it is most commonly used to measure the strength of the quadricep muscles, the Tindeq can be used to measure hamstring and shoulder muscle strength as well.
Quadriceps strength testing is very important for people with a multitude of different conditions including patients with knee pain, individuals dealing with balance difficulties, and those recovering from knee surgery. Studies have shown that individuals post-ACL surgery have a lower risk of re-injury when their side-to-side quadriceps strength is at least 85% symmetrical. Furthermore, the closer an athlete’s quadriceps strength is relative to their body weight, the lower their risk of re-injury.
With respect to balance difficulties and fall risk, a study published in the National Library of Medicine has shown that quadricep strength greater than 66 pounds per leg decreases a person’s fall risk significantly, versus strength under 33 pounds.
Similar to quadriceps, hamstring strength testing can provide valuable insights into overall lower body function and help identify any imbalances or weaknesses. Strong hamstrings are crucial for optimal performance in sports and for preventing injuries.
A study published in the Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy has shown that hamstring muscles should be at least 60% as strong as the quadricep muscles, which can be difficult to measure without a dynamometer device. As a result, using a Tindeq to test hamstring muscle strength allows us to determine which areas need improvement so that targeted strength training can be added to an individual’s program and performed.
Testing shoulder muscle strength is especially important for throwing athletes such as baseball pitchers. Similar to the quadriceps and hamstrings, there are also ideal ratios between the shoulder rotator cuff muscles to decrease the risk of injury, which can be evaluated by the Tindeq. For example, a study published on Glenohumeral Internal and External Rotation Motion shows that throwing athletes’ shoulder external rotators should be somewhere between 66-75% as strong as their internal rotator muscles.
Being able to measure muscle force output is crucial to understanding an individual's muscle strength and can help physical therapists track improvement over time. The Tindeq device is a useful tool that provides the team at MAVEN with precise measurements that play a vital role in ensuring that our patients are on the right path to recovery.
Whether you've experienced an injury, are an athlete striving for peak performance, or you simply want to enhance and monitor your overall strength, booking an appointment at MAVEN is the next step. Our expert physical therapists will use the Tindeq to assess your muscle strength and guide you toward your goals.
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