The number of sessions required to stabilize peak torque and rate of torque development in isometric contractions in young, middle-age and older individuals

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) is used to determine both peak torque (PT) and rate of torque development (RTD). Familiarization sessions are usually performed to stabilize PT and RTD when performing MVIC. However, it is not clear how many familiarization sessions are required to achieve such stability in different age groups. METHODS: Thirty-three healthy individuals were divided into three groups: young group (YG; 5 men and 7 women, age 22.75 ± 4.53 years), middle-aged group (MAG; 6 men and 5 women, age 50.45 ± 6.12 years) and elderly group (EG; 6 men and 4 women, age 67.80 ± 7.28 years). Individuals performed the MVICs using an isokinetic dynamometer, in four different occasions separated by at least 72 hours. RESULTS: There were no differences in PT and RTD between familiarization sessions for all age groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the present protocol of MVIC is capable of stabilizing PT and RTD in the first testing session in young, middle-aged and elderly groups.