title: Test-retest reliability of three-dimensional kinematics using an electromagnetic tracking system during single-leg squat and stepping maneuver.
abstract: The electromagnetic tracking system (ETS) has been used to analyze three-dimensional (3D) lower limb kinematics. The single-leg squat and stepping maneuver are useful tasks to evaluate lower extremity alignment in a clinical setting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the test-retest reliability of trunk, pelvis, hip, and knee 3D kinematics using an ETS during single-leg squat and stepping maneuver and compare 3D kinematics between tasks. Twenty healthy volunteers (10 males and 10 females) completed two test sessions 3-5 days apart. Three-dimensional kinematics using an ETS was assessed during single-leg squat and stepping maneuver. Overall, intrarater-intrasession reliability (ICCs=0.83-1.00) and intersession reliabilities (ICCs=0.82-0.97) were high during single-leg squat and stepping maneuver. The intrasession minimal detectable change (MDC) ranged from 1.3° for the knee frontal plane range of motion for single-leg squat to 6.2° for the pelvic transverse range of motion for the stepping maneuver. Intersession MDC values ranged from 1.2° for the ipsilateral trunk lean for the single-leg squat to 8.3° for hip flexion for the stepping maneuver. Healthy participants exhibited greater anterior pelvic tilt, more hip flexion, and less contralateral pelvis forward excursion (p<0.05) during single-leg squat compared with the stepping maneuver. These findings suggest that the 3D kinematics of the trunk, pelvis, hip, and knee using an ETS is reliable during single-leg squat and the stepping maneuver. Minimal detectable change values were low during the evaluated activities. Intertask comparisons revealed differences in hip and pelvis kinematics.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Theresa H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Érika Tiemi Uehara
authors.initials: ÉT
authors.lastname: Moriya
authors.forename: Carlos D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Maciel
authors.forename: Fábio V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Serrão
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation*; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Electromagnetic tracking system; Kinematics; Knee; Pelvis; Trunk