title: Reliability of muscle strength measures obtained with a hand-held dynamometer in an elderly population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of a hand-held dynamometer for isometric strength measurements among nursing home residents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The isometric muscle strength of nursing home residents was assessed for eight different muscle groups, using a hand-held dynamometer, the MicroFET2 device. Strength measurements were performed at baseline and after 4 days by the same operator and after 8 days by a second operator. Intraclass coefficients (ICC) were computed to assess the relative reliability, whereas the minimal detectable change (MDC%) was calculated to assess the absolute reliability of the test-retest of the MicroFET2 used by one single operator or by two different ones.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty nursing home residents (75·0 ± 11·2 years, 50% of women) were enrolled in this study. ICC of the test-retest with one single operator ranged from 0·60 (0·37-0·83) for the ankle extensors to 0·85 (0·74-0·95) for the elbow flexors. When considering the test-retest with two different operators, the ICC values ranged from 0·62 (0·41-0·84) for the ankle extensors to 0·87 (0·79-0·96) for the elbow extensors. For the absolute reliability, MDC% varies from 27·64 (elbow flexors) to 81·97 (ankle extensors) when performed in intra-observer. In interobserver condition, MDC%, respectively, varies from 24·38 (elbow extensors) 67·59 (ankle extensors).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using standardized protocol and standardized instructions to patients, a high relative and moderate absolute reliability was observed for all but ankle muscle groups, making this hand-held dynamometer a potential tool for research in the elderly population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.|Support Unit in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Fanny
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buckinx
authors.affiliation: Department of Motricity Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Croisier
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.|Support Unit in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.|Bone, Cartilage and Muscle Metabolism Unit, CHU Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean-Yves
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Reginster
authors.affiliation: Support Unit in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dardenne
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.|Support Unit in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beaudart
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.|Support Unit in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Justine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slomian
authors.affiliation: Department of Motricity Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sylvain
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Health Economics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.|Support Unit in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.|Department of Motricity Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bruyère
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001530:Belgium; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006225:Hand; D018737:Hand Strength; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction; D008297:Male; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
keywords: elderly; hand-held dynamometer; muscle strength; reliability