Reliability of ground reaction forces in the aquatic environment.
The aim of this study was to verify the reliability of the kinetic parameters of gait using an underwater force platform. A total of 49 healthy participants with a median age of 21years were included. The kinetic gait data were collected using a 0.6×0.6×0.1m aquatic force plate (Bertec®), set in a pool (15×13×1.30m) with a water depth of 1.20m and water temperature of 32.5°C. Participants walked 10m before reaching the platform, which was fixed to the ground. Participants were instructed to step onto the platform with their preferred limb and data from three valid attempts were used to calculate the average values. A 48-h interval between tests was used for the test-retest reliability. Data were analyzed using interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and results demonstrated that reliability ranged from poor to excellent, with ICC scores of between 0.24 and 0.87 and mean differences between (d¯)=-0.01 and 0.002. The highest reliability values were found for the vertical (Fz) and the lowest for the mediolateral components (Fy). In conclusion, the force platform is reliable for assessing the vertical and anteroposterior components of power production rates in water, however, caution should be applied when using this instrument to evaluate the mediolateral component in this environment.
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Maria Simone Tavares
MS
Barreto
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Laís Faganello
LF
Dela Bela
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Josilainne Marcelino
JM
Dias
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Alexandre Roberto Marcondes
AR
Pelegrinelli
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Renata Rosa
RR
de Campos
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil; Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco, Colegiado de Educação Física, Petrolina, PE, Brazil.
Rodrigo Gustavo da Silva
RG
Carvalho
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil; Faculdade Assis Gurgacz, Cascavel, PR, Brazil.
Marcelo
M
Taglietti
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil; Instituto Federal do Paraná, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
João Pedro
JP
Batista
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Mariana Felipe
MF
Silva
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Mabel Micheline
MM
Olkoski
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Jéssyca Fernandes
JF
Nogueira
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Daniella Carneiro de
DC
Souza
Institute of Nursing and Health Research, School of Health Sciences, Ulster University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
Joseph Gerald
JG
McVeigh
Sports Sciences Department, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Felipe Arruda
FA
Moura
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil; Aquatic Physical Therapy Center "Prof. Paulo A. Seibert", University Hospital, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil.
Ligia Maria
LM
Facci
Laboratory of Biomechanics and Clinical Epidemiology, PAIFIT Research Group, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil; Aquatic Physical Therapy Center "Prof. Paulo A. Seibert", University Hospital, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, PR, Brazil. Electronic address: jeffcar@uel.br.
Jefferson Rosa
JR
Cardoso
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D005121:Extremities; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000379:methods; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009213:Myography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013551:Swimming Pools; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
Aquatic exercise; Gait; Hydrotherapy; Kinetic; Reliability