Testing of isometric and isokinetic lifting strengths of untrained females in teamwork

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Abstract
The additivity of strengths for teams of two and three untrained female subjects in eam-work was evaluated in static (isometric) and dynamic (isokinetic) terms. Eight healthy college students were tested under laboratory conditions. Four standard values were used to evaluate isometric strengths: arm, leg, stooped back, and composite measures. The isokinetic strength was tested by means of dynamic lift strength and dynamic back extension. Following individual measurement of the subjects, they were tested in two-member and three-member teams. Two-female teams w«re evaluated in terms of 28 combinations for each of the six measures; the three-female teams were tested in 56 combinations among the subjects. With the exception of isometric arm strength, the actual team strengths were significantly lower then the corresponding sums of the team-members' individual strengths. On average, the isometric back, leg and composite strengths were approximately 83·3% for the two-female teams, and 83·9% for the three-female teams. The isokinetic strengths for two-female and three-female teams accounted for about 68·0% and 68·4% of the sums, respectively. These results indicate that lifting strength of females in team-work is generally not additive and depends upon the muscle group in use, and suggests that lifting capacity in team-work will be reduced as the number of team members increases.