Hemiplegic patients have limitations in carrying out activities of daily living because of weakness, spasticity, and abnormal synergy patterns of movement. Even though there is common agreement on the importance of muscle strength, sufficiently objective information on muscle strength and patterns of weakness in hemiplegic patients, elbow flexors and extensors in particular, is still relatively lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the strength and the strength ratio for elbow extensors and flexors of hemiplegia to provide a guideline for rehabilitation of hemiplegic patients.

Isometric test was performed at a joint angle of 90o, and isokinetic test at an angular velocity of 60o/sec, using an isokinetic dynamometer, Cybex 340. Thirty normal subjects (control group) and sixteen hemiplegic subjects (patient group) were participated in this study.

The results are as follows:

1) In the control group, there was a significant difference in isometric and isokinetic strengths at the elbow joint by sex (p＜0.01), but, no significant difference in extensor to flexor strength ratio by sex.

2) In the patient group, the isometric and isokinetic torque values for flexors and extensors were significantly lower than in the control group (p＜0.01). The extensor to flexor strength ratio in the isometric mode was 135.3% in the patient group compared with 82.9% in the control group, a significant difference (p＜0.01). There was also a significant difference in isokinetic test, with the patient group strength ratio showing 141.5% compared with 95.7% in the control group.

According to the above results, the strength ratio is a useful parameter for evaluating joint function and guiding treatment of hemiplegia.