title: Reliability of eccentric isokinetic knee flexion and extension measurements.
abstract: This study assessed the test-retest reliability of knee isokinetic eccentric muscle performance in subjects with and without a history of tibio-femoral pathology. Nineteen adults were tested at 60 degrees/sec and 180 degrees/sec on three occasions using a standardized protocol that incorporates a same-session learning phase. Results revealed moderate to excellent reliability for average peak torque test-retest ICC (2,1) = .58 to .96, total work ICC = .63 to .93, and power ICC = .67 to .93. Joint angle at peak torque was unreliable (ICC = .01 to .69) for both muscle groups at both angular velocities. Knee flexion reliability was higher than extension reliability at both 60 degrees/sec and 180 degrees/sec. Subjects with tibio-femoral pathologies had ICC values lower than the healthy subjects. Reliable eccentric isokinetic measurements can be obtained for average peak torque, total work, and power. Clinicians should not assume the same degree of reliability in testing patients as in testing healthy subjects.
authors.affiliation: Program in Physical Therapy, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston 02114.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Steiner
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Krebs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007551:Isotonic Contraction; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D005082:Physical Exertion; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014102:Torsion Abnormality