A reciprocating dynamometer assesses human physical capacity and muscle composition by: (1) simultaneously working all four limbs of the body through a full range of motion while maximally loading the muscles through a full range of speeds; (2) simultaneously capturing the reciprocating torques and reciprocating angular velocities of all four reciprocating limbs, and (3) adjusting to provide similar ranges of motion for limb joints of human subjects of different body height and limb length. Levers provide synchronized, reciprocating, angular movements for handles and pedals while adjustable brakes oppose reciprocating motion during a 15 second test of maximal exertion. Measurements of elapsed time, torque input to each lever and angular displacement of each lever enable a plot of cyclical moving average of power over cycle frequency for each limb. Peak cyclical power is the maximal rate of work performed, averaged over one movement cycle. Cycle frequency at peak cyclical power is a noninvasive reflection of muscle composition (fiber typing). Fundamental to this device and method is use of moving averages based not on time, but on movement cycle.
Reciprocating dynamometer to assess human physical capacity and muscle composition