Effects of warming up on reliability of anthropometric techniques in ankylosing spondylitis.
To determine the effect of warm-up on anthropometric measures, 10 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 10 normal control subjects were measured over a 1-hour period by one therapist. A series of 4 measures--a modified Schober's test, finger-to-floor with the subject standing on a 23-cm stool, chest expansion, and cervical rotation using an arthrodial protractor--were repeated completely 4 times. Subjects exercised between each series (except between the third and fourth series). Intra-rater reliability was determined by comparing measurement 3 with measurement 4, and the warm-up effect was determined by comparing measurement 1 with measurement 3. The Schober's test and chest expansion are stable measures and are not affected by warm-up. However, the finger-to-floor and cervical rotation exercises require warm-up to ensure stable values for clinical or research followup of spondylitis.
Roberts
W N
WN
Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115.
Liang
M H
MH
Pallozzi
L M
LM
Daltroy
L H
LH
D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D005082:Physical Exertion; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000503:physiopathology*