Muscle strength: often used to mean force or torque output but can be used to mean

muscle power, work or endurance. Phrase should be avoided- USE MUSCLE

ASSESSMENT.
Muscle force: the amount of force a muscle generates. This cannot be measured clinically
unless the muscle's moment arm (see below) is assumed to be known or constant or not
relevant. Muscle force sometimes measured using the hand grip dynamometer (output in
kg).
Muscle moment (torque): active muscles (biceps) act about an axis of rotation (elbow).
The distance the muscle is away from the axis of rotation is the moment arm. [Note: it is
the perpendicular distance or the closest distance between the line of action of the muscle
force and the axis of rotation. This will be discussed with the students in a resource
session]. The muscle force multiplied by the moment arm is the muscle torque. Torque is
measured in Newton-meters (Nm).
Most functional activities require motion that is neither too fast nor too slow (if too slow
they take too long and if too fast the person fatigues). To achieve this purpose muscles
must have adequate power, work, or endurance. These are the outcomes many
physiotherapy interventions want to improve.
muscle work: a muscle generating torque throughout an angular ROM
equals muscle work. Work is measured in joules or Newton-meters.
muscle power: a muscle generating force while changing length
(concentric or eccentric) quickly (muscle velocity) equals muscle power.
Power is measure in Watts.
muscle endurance: the ability of a muscle to perform a functional activity
repetitively.