Reliability of the assessment of lumbar range of motion and maximal isometric strength.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the interobserver reliability and intrasubject variability of the assessment of lumbar range of motion (ROM) and maximal isometric strength in asymptomatic subjects by using commercially available equipment.


METHODS
A cross-sectional repeated-measures design.


METHODS
Ambulatory care in a university hospital.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 61 asymptomatic healthy subjects aged 20 to 55 years.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Six movements of the lumbar spine were assessed with commercially available equipment. Both the ROM and the maximal isometric strength for flexion, extension, lateroflexion, and rotation of the lumbar spine were assessed by 2 investigators who were blinded to the outcome of the assessment performed by their colleague.


RESULTS
The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was above .95 for all the strength measurements. For the assessment of the ROM of the lumbar spine, the ICC varied between .77 and .94. There was a significant intrasubject variability for 8 of 12 measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
The interobserver reliability is excellent for the measurement of the maximal isometric strength and good for the assessment of the ROM of the lumbar spine. There is a significant intrasubject variability, which requires the use of the mean or the best value of different trials.
Division of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Department of Health Sciences, Hogeschool Antwerpen, Merksem, Belgium. n.roussel@ha.be
Nathalie
N
Roussel
Jo
J
Nijs
Steven
S
Truijen
Sara
S
Breugelmans
Inneke
I
Claes
Gaëtane
G
Stassijns
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results