title: Intrarater reliability of hand held dynamometry in measuring lower extremity isometric strength using a portable stabilization device.
abstract: Hand held dynamometry (HHD) is a more objective way to quantify muscle force production (MP) compared to traditional manual muscle testing. HHD reliability can be negatively impacted by both the strength of the tester and the subject particularly in the lower extremities due to larger muscle groups. The primary aim of this investigation was to assess intrarater reliability of HHD with use of a portable stabilization device for lower extremity MP in an athletic population. Isometric lower extremity strength was measured for bilateral lower extremities including hip abductors, external rotators, adductors, knee extensors, and ankle plantar flexors was measured in a sample of healthy recreational runners (8 male, 7 females, = 30 limbs) training for a marathon. These measurements were assessed using an intrasession intrarater reliability design. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated using 3,1 model based on the single rater design. The standard error of measurement (SEM) for each muscle group was also calculated. ICC were excellent ranging from ICC (3,1) = 0.93-0.98 with standard error of measurements ranging from 0.58 to 17.2 N. This study establishes the use of a HHD with a portable stabilization device as demonstrating good reliability within testers for measuring lower extremity muscle performance in an active healthy population.
authors.affiliation: Orange Park Medical Center, 2001 Kingsley Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073, USA. Electronic address: Steven.Jackson@hcahealthcare.com.
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Program, Nova Southeastern University, 3200 S, University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA. Electronic address: mingshun@nova.edu.
authors.forename: M Samuel
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Program, Lynchburg College, 300 Monticello Ave., Suite A, Lynchburg, VA 24501, USA. Electronic address: smith.ar@lynchburg.edu.
authors.forename: A Russell
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Program, Nova Southeastern University, 3200 S, University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA. Electronic address: Kolber@nova.edu.
authors.forename: Morey J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kolber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer / Q000592:standards*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D015588:Observer Variation; D009983:Orthopedic Equipment; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hand held dynamometer; Intrarater reliability; Lower extremity muscle performance; Stabilization device