title: Between-day reliability of the trapezius muscle H-reflex and M-wave.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the between-day reliability of the trapezius muscle H-reflex and M-wave.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen healthy subjects were studied on 2 consecutive days. Trapezius muscle H-reflexes were evoked by electrical stimulation of the C3/4 cervical nerves; M-waves were evoked by electrical stimulation of the accessory nerve. Relative reliability was estimated by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC2,1 ). Absolute reliability was estimated by computing the standard error of measurement (SEM) and the smallest real difference (SRD). Bland-Altman plots were constructed to detect any systematic bias.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Variables showed substantial to excellent relative reliability (ICC = 0.70-0.99). The relative SEM ranged from 1.4% to 34.8%; relative SRD ranged from 3.8% to 96.5%. No systematic bias was present in the data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The amplitude and latency of the trapezius muscle H-reflex and M-wave in healthy young subjects can be measured reliably across days.
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity and Human Performance group, SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7 D-3, DK-9220, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vangsgaard
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity and Human Performance group, SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7 D-3, DK-9220, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Ernst A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Physical Activity and Human Performance group, SMI, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Fredrik Bajers Vej 7 D-3, DK-9220, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Madeleine
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006181:H-Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: H-reflex; human; monosynaptic reflex; reliability; trapezius