title: Clinical tests of ankle plantarflexor strength do not predict ankle power generation during walking.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between a clinical test of ankle plantarflexor strength and ankle power generation (APG) at push-off during walking.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective cross-sectional study of 102 patients with traumatic brain injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Handheld dynamometry was used to measure ankle plantarflexor strength. Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed to quantify ankle power generation at push-off during walking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ankle plantarflexor strength was only moderately correlated with ankle power generation at push-off (r = 0.43, P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.58). There was also a moderate correlation between ankle plantarflexor strength and self-selected walking velocity (r = 0.32, P = 0.002; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.48).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Handheld dynamometry measures of ankle plantarflexor strength are only moderately correlated with ankle power generation during walking. This clinical test of ankle plantarflexor strength is a poor predictor of calf muscle function during gait in people with traumatic brain injury.
authors.affiliation: From the Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Australia (MK, GW); The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia (GW); and La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia (GW).
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: Gavin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000842:Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult