February 17, 2019

Kaleigh Debowes, a health sciences senior who is pursuing a minor in exercise science, recently completed an independent study course with Michael Bruneau, Jr., PhD, assistant teaching professor, in strength and conditioning. As part of her experience, she worked with Arun Ramakrishnan, PhD, director of research labs, in the lab of Glenn Williams, PT, PhD, associate professor and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science chair, to provide Debowes with a patient-centered perspective for what an isokinetic dynamometer works in practice.

When Debowes became interested in a career as an exercise professional with the American College of Sports Medicine, Bruneau created this independent study course for her because she needed something that CNHP hasn't yet offered to sit for the certification exam.

Bruneau created a course syllabus and met with Debowes weekly during the fall term to review the content material germane to the certification exam for the strength and conditioning component. As part of their review was the comparison between isometric, isokinetic and isotonic muscle contractions. She was familiarized with the different contractions during the course (handgrip dynamometry for isometric strength and movement of her arm with a bicep curl for isotonic since by definition isotonic represents a change in length with the same amount of tension); however, they did not have an isokinetic experience for Debowes until Bruneau checked with Ramakrishnan and realized that Williams had a Humac Isokinetic dynamometer in the lab. They reviewed the types of equipment used in the field for strength and conditioning and other exercise science-related disciplines and even provided her with an opportunity to serve as the participant who had the isokinetic dynamometry assed on herself.