About Biodex
The Integrated Health Center at the University of Nevada, Reno, offers testing and exercises through the use of a devise called the Biodex. The Biodex is a machine that has multiple uses in that it can be used for five different types of exercise and also for isokinetic testing of strength for all of the major joints of the body.
The different types of exercise the Biodex can perform include isokinetic, isotonic, eccentric and passive.
- The isokinetic mode is used for exercise and testing. Isokinetic exercise is a proven and safe type of exercise that utilizes a variable resistance to a joint. The Biodex is able to adapt to the amount of force being produce by the joint being exercised or tested.
- Isokinetic strength testing, the Biodex is able to give detailed reports of strength deficits and strength ratios which will guide a safe return to full strength of the affected joint.
- The isotonic mode of the Biodex gives a constant load on a joint being exercised. It is much the same as lifting a weight which keeps the same amount of unchanging force on a joint through its range of motion.
- The passive motion mode is used to improve a patient’s range of motion in gentle manner. A patient is place in the Biodex and pre-determined range of motion is set. The patient is taken through that range of motion with the muscles of that joint relaxed. This helps decrease joint effusion, improving range of motion, reducing pain and improving proprioception.
- The isometric mode can be use pre and post operatively when strengthening is needed, but the motion must be limited. The Biodex can be set at various angles and an isometric exercise can be performed against the static resistance provided by Biodex.
- The eccentric mode is for strengthening a specific muscle group through the use a lengthening contraction of targeted muscle group. This type of exercise is somewhat demanding on muscle groups and the Biodex reacts only to the amount force output of the patient.