Biomechanical Evaluation of Passive Resistive Torque Structure of Elbow Joint and its Application in Rehabilitation and Practical equipment

The aim of this study was to investigate the structure of passive resistive moment of elbow joint acting against movement and also to apply it in order to create a similar moment mechanism for rehabilitation and practical equipment to perform joint movements according to sports medicine and rehabilitation scopes and notifications. Eight healthy men were recruited in order to establish the subjects group which had no history of neurological or musculo-skeletal pathology. Five cyclic passive elbow flexions were performed by a Cybex isokinetic dynamometer at 15 and 45 deg/s through 0 to 130 degree of range of motion. The experimental data was exported to the MATLAB software for analysis. Investigation of the structure of the components of the passive resistive moment showed that the most compatibility with passive resistive moment observed in the combined use of weight and pneumatic resistive moments. Finally it was concluded that the possibility of reaching optimized movement, reduction of damage to the tissues and joints and also reduction of energy dissipation due to inertia were provided by the use of the function of natural resistive moment of the limbs in order to create a resistive mechanism for rehabilitation and practical equipment.