Abstract: An exercise dynamometer permits a patient to exercise against isodynamic, isokinetic, or isometric resistance to evaluate various musculoskeletal conditions of the patient's human spine. Sensing means are provided to determine the positioning of the patient, and to determine the angular position, velocity, and torque of the exercise movements. In a first embodiment, the patient's head, trunk, upper legs, knees, and feet are secured to a lumbar dynamometer to isolate lumbar and lower thoracic spinal rotation, flexion-extension, and/or lateral bending. During rotational exercise, the axis of movement of the dynamometer is coincident with the patient's spine. In a second embodiment, a patient's trunk and hips are secured to a neck dynamometer to restrict exercise to the cervical spine. The invention facilitates forward flexion-extension, or alternatively lateral bending of the cervical spine, about a first axis aligned with the patient's C1-C2 vertebrae and a second axis aligned with the patient's C7 vertebra.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for performing a quantitative analysis of a patient during exercise against isometric, isokinetic, or isoinertial resistance, in order to construct a detailed musculoskeletal model of a human subject. To use the device, the subject grasps a handle which is attached to a length of cable, wound upon a cable spool. Adjustable braking means attached to the cable spool supplies isometric, isokinetic, or isoinertial resistance against unwinding of the cable in order to simulate selected lifting motions. Sensing devices detect the longitudinal and lateral angles at which the patient is pulling the cable. A torsion spring is attached to the cable spool for rewinding the cable. In the preferred version, force sensors are attached to an upper surface of the platform to detect the manner in which the subject's weight is distributed between the anterior and posterior regions of the subject's feet, as well as between the subject's right and left feet.