Ann Rehabil Med.  2014 Feb;38(1):84-93. 10.5535/arm.2014.38.1.84.

Reliability and Validity of Isometric Knee Extensor Strength Test With Hand-Held Dynamometer Depending on Its Fixation: A Pilot Study

• Kim WK
• Kim DK
• Seo KM
• Kang SH

• KMID: 2266545
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2014.38.1.84

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine the reliability and validity of hand-held dynamometer (HHD) depending on its fixation in measuring isometric knee extensor strength by comparing the results with an isokinetic dynamometer.
METHODS
Twenty-seven healthy female volunteers participated in this study. The subjects were tested in seated and supine position using three measurement methods: isometric knee extension by isokinetic dynamometer, non-fixed HHD, and fixed HHD. During the measurement, the knee joints of subjects were fixed at a 35degrees angle from the extended position. The fixed HHD measurement was conducted with the HHD fixed to distal tibia with a Velcro strap; non-fixed HHD was performed with a hand-held method without Velcro fixation. All the measurements were repeated three times and among them, the maximum values of peak torque were used for the analysis.
RESULTS
The data from the fixed HHD method showed higher validity than the non-fixed method compared with the results of the isokinetic dynamometer. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between fixed HHD and isokinetic dynamometer method were statistically significant (supine-right: r=0.806, p<0.05; seating-right: r=0.473, p<0.05; supine-left: r=0.524, p<0.05), whereas Pearson correlation coefficients between non-fixed dynamometer and isokinetic dynamometer methods were not statistically significant, except for the result of the supine position of the left leg (r=0.384, p<0.05). Both fixed and non-fixed HHD methods showed excellent inter-rater reliability. However, the fixed HHD method showed a higher reliability than the non-fixed HHD method by considering the intraclass correlation coefficient (fixed HHD, 0.952-0.984; non-fixed HHD, 0.940-0.963).
CONCLUSION
Fixation of HHD during measurement in the supine position increases the reliability and validity in measuring the quadriceps strength.

Keyword

Muscle strength dynamometer; Isometric contraction; Physical restraint; Dimensional measurement accuracy; Knee joint

MeSH Terms

Dimensional Measurement Accuracy
Female
Humans
Isometric Contraction
Knee Joint
Knee*
Leg
Methods
Muscle Strength Dynamometer
Pilot Projects*
Reproducibility of Results*
Restraint, Physical
Supine Position
Tibia
Torque
Volunteers

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Flow chart represents a process of the study.

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  Fig. 2 Study participant positioning for isokinetic dynamometer. (A) Sitting position and (B) supine position.

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  Fig. 3 Study participant positioning for fixed and non-fixed HHD methods. (A) Fixed HHD method with sitting and supine position was observed. (B) Non-fixed HHD method with sitting and supine position was observed.

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  Fig. 4 Correlation of fixed HHD and non-fixed HHD methods (x-axis) with isokinetic dynamometer (y-axis) in a scatter diagram. HHD, hand-held dynamometer; Rt., right; Lt., left. *p<0.05 was considered significant.

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