Femoral Transverse Torque: An Assessment Method

This study compared external and internal femoral torques of asymptomatic male and female subjects. Peak torque values were recorded using the Cybex® II isokinetic dynamometer utilizing a prone testing position with the hip in neutral. Males produced significantly higher raw peak torques than females in both external and internal rotation (p < 0.003). However, when torques were normalized to body weight no significant differences were found between male and female subjects. External rotation torques were found to be significantly higher than internal rotation torques for all subjects combined (p < 0.016). No significant difference was found between left and right limbs. The ratio of external to internal rotation torque was 1.08 for males and 1.16 for females. These ratios are suggested as criterion measures for assessing transverse muscle imbalance at the hip joint.