Intrarater reliability of hand held dynamometry in measuring lower extremity isometric strength using a portable stabilization device

• Published in: Manual therapy Vol. 27; pp. 137 - 141
• Main Authors: Jackson, Steven M., Cheng, M. Samuel, Smith, A. Russell, Kolber, Morey J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2017
• Subjects: Hand held dynamometer; Intrarater reliability; Lower extremity muscle performance; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Stabilization device; Lower extremity muscle performance; Hand held dynamometer; Intrarater reliability; Stabilization device; intrarater reliability; stabilization device; lower extremity muscle performance
• ISSN: 2468-7812; 1356-689X; 1532-2769; 2468-7812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2016.07.010

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. •Proposed method to improve intrarater reliability for hand held dynamometry.•Incorporates the use of a stabilization device to limit error due to tester strength.•Excellent intrarater reliability reported with use of stabilization device.