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Grooten et al.

that it is not easy to detect small differences in muscular performance (Holmback et al., 1999), but the parameter may still be useful in patient training studies over a period of time. For example, a 50% increase of strength is not difficult to obtain after a 10-week training program, even in the very elderly (Fiatarone et al., 1994).

Perspectives

This reliability study of healthy women performing a functional closed-chain movement of the upper limbs, supine bench press using a ACES `multifunction exerciser', showed that it is possible to receive excellent to good reliability on five different performance parameters at two velocities, with better reliability at the lower velocity.

In contrast to other isokinetic devices, which often measure open-chain movements of one limb, the ACES, in combination with movement registration (e.g., APAS video system) makes it possible to study kinematics and kinetics of inter-limb coordination in



References

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shown to be an effective and functional way of training, and the need for new training and measurement meth

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the ACES could be used in monitoring functional upper extremity muscular performance in the field of

sports medicine and rehabilitation in slow and fast movements.

Key words: Bench press; reliability; strength; isokinetic testing; peak force; power.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the students and staff members of the Department of Physical Therapy, Karolinska Institute, for their participation, Britt Elfving Holmer and Par Westblad (Karolinska Institute, Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology, Radiology and Orthopaedic Surgery, Sweden) for their help with the statistics, and Geert Verheijden (Department of Kinesiology, KU, Leuven, Belgium) for help during the experiments. This study was funded by a grant from Namnden for vardvetenskap, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden.

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