title: Measures of low back function: a review of reproducibility studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to make a systematic literature review with preset quality criteria concerning reproducibility of the tests of the low back regarding strength, endurance and range of motion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature in Medline and local databases was reviewed for articles concerning the reproducibility of strength, endurance, and range of motion measurements.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Measures of low back function are widely used, and are important for both clinical and research purposes in relation to low back problems. A review of the reproducibility of these tests has not previously been made.
  
  
  METHODS
  After extensive discussion among all the authors, general evaluation parameters were defined for the quality assessment. Every study was graded from 0 to 2 for each parameter. Parameters evaluated were: number of subjects, subject description, method description, test/retest interval, description of results, and statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The literature search revealed a total of 79 studies. Most studies suffered from methodological weaknesses and only eleven studies received ten or more quality points (maximum 14). The results from the highest graded studies are highlighted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It may be concluded that there is a considerable lack of information about the reproducibility of functional measures for the low back, and therefore a recommendation for consensus is difficult. However, most tests performed in the sagittal plane are reliable for use on groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Measures of low back function are thought to be of great importance for clinicians, and low back researchers in general. A review of reproducibility will be helpful both as a survey of tests, and to provide information on the usefulness in relation to the level of reproducibility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Lersø Parkalle 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. me@ami.dk
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Essendrop
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maul
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Läubli
authors.forename: Hilkka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Riihimäki
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schibye
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000502:physiology*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013131:Spine / Q000502:physiology