title: Intrarater and interrater reliability of the flexicurve index, flexicurve angle, and manual inclinometer for the measurement of thoracic kyphosis.
abstract: Objective. This study aimed to describe the interrater and intrarater reliability of the flexicurve index, flexicurve angle, and manual inclinometer in swimmers. A secondary objective was to determine the level of agreement between the inclinometer angle and the flexicurve angle and to provide an equation to approximate one angle from the other. Methods. Thirty swimmers participated. Thoracic kyphosis was measured using the flexicurve and the manual inclinometer. Intraclass correlation coefficient, 95% confidence interval, and standard error of measurement were computed. Results. The flexicurve angle and index showed excellent intrarater (ICC = 0.94) and good interrater (ICC = 0.86) reliability. The inclinometer demonstrated excellent intrarater (ICC = 0.92) and interrater (ICC = 0.90) reliability. The flexicurve angle was systematically smaller and correlated poorly with the inclinometer angle (R (2) = 0.384). The following equations can be used for approximate conversions: flexicurve angle = (0.275 × inclinometer angle) + 8.478; inclinometer angle = (1.396 × flexicurve angle) + 8.694. Conclusion. The inclinometer and flexicurve are both reliable instruments for thoracic kyphosis measurement in swimmers. Although the flexicurve and inclinometer angles are not directly comparable, the approximate conversion factors provided will permit translation of flexicurve angle to inclinometer angle and vice versa.
authors.affiliation: University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McCreesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Allied Health Professions and Midwifery, School of Health and Social Work, Wright Building, College Lane Campus, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AB, UK ; Musculoskeletal Services, Health at the Stowe, Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, 260 Harrow Road, London W2 5ES, UK.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lewis