| The purpose of this study was to examine the peak torque (maximum muscle contraction) of the wrist joint at different postural levels. Thirty repetitions performed on the Biodex System at different degrees of flexion by the subjects allowed the researcher to identify the wrist joint's muscle fatigue, peak torques, and workloads over time. The results from this test provided the researcher with objective data for establishing worksite health education programs for carpal tunnel syndrome prevention.; For Biodex testing, the sample consisted of 20 females and 40 males. Students between the ages of 18 and 24, who reported no history of neurological disorders or previous wrist injuries, participated. The study attempted to reveal if a person using repetitive overhead arm movements for a period of time suffers a significant strength deficit.; The control group, 29 subjects achieved acceleration parameter peak torques in the beginning one third of the range of motion, demonstrating no difficulty with flexion or extension. Only one subject experienced a peak torque occur in the middle one third of the range of motion. In the experimental group, three subjects produced their peak torque in the middle one-third and the other 27 subjects produced their peak torques in the last one-third of range of motion.; The control group's force decay rates resulted in 24 straight lines of descent and six convex lines of descent in the range of motion. In the experimental group, two subjects completed a convex line of descent and the rest of the 28 subjects produced a concave line of descent.; The mean torque for the control group was 21.43 and the experiment group's mean, reported at 11.68, demonstrated a difference of 9.75 between the control and experimental mean. The independent t-test resulted in a t value of 3.95 with a probability of the t at 0.0003, showing a significant difference between the two groups at an alpha level of .001.; This study demonstrated evidence of significant muscle torque loss when the humerus works concentrically/eccentrically with 60 degrees of shoulder flexion using the modern technology of the Biodex. With this data, health educators more effectively plan worksite health education programs for carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as many other types of physical injuries. |
