[en] 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). CONCLUSION: 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.
Disciplines :
Geriatrics Public health, health care sciences & services
Author, co-author :
Buckinx, Fanny ; Université de Liège > Département des sciences de la santé publique > Santé publique, Epidémiologie et Economie de la santé
Croisier, Jean-Louis ; Université de Liège > Département des sciences de la motricité > Kinésithérapie générale et réadaptation
Reginster, Jean-Yves ; Université de Liège > Département des sciences de la santé publique > Santé publique, Epidémiologie et Economie de la santé
Dardenne, Nadia ; Université de Liège > Département des sciences de la santé publique > Santé publique, Epidémiologie et Economie de la santé
Beaudart, Charlotte ; Université de Liège > Département des sciences de la santé publique > Santé publique, Epidémiologie et Economie de la santé
Slomian, Justine ; Université de Liège > Département des sciences de la santé publique > Epidémiologie clinique
Bartko J. Measurement and reliability: statistical thinking considerations. Schizophr Bull (1991); 17: 483–489.
Bohannon RW. Manual muscle test scores and dynamometer test scores of knee extension strength. Arch Phys Med Rehabil (1986); 67: 390–392.
Brach JS, et al. Meaningful change in measures of gait variability in older adults. Gait Posture (2010); 31: 175–179.
Buckinx F, et al. Burden of frailty in the elderly population: perspectives for a public health challenge. Arch Public Health (2015); 73: 19.
Cejudo A, et al. Test-retest reliability of seven common clinical tests for assessing lower extremity muscle flexibility in futsal and handball players. Phys Ther Sport (2014); 16: 107–113.
Doherty TJ. The influence of aging and sex on skeletal muscle mass and strength. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care (2001); 4: 503–508.
Douma RK, et al. Reference values for isometric muscle force among workers for the Netherlands: a comparison of reference values. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil (2014); 6: 10.
Hars M, Herrmann FR, Trombetti A. Reliability and minimal detectable change of gait variables in community-dwelling and hospitalized older fallers. Gait Posture (2013); 38: 1010–1014.
Hunter S, White M, Thompson M. Techniques to evaluate elderly human muscle function: a physiological basis. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci (1998); 53: B204–B216.
Kim WK, et al. Reliability and validity of isometric knee extensor strength test with hand-held dynamometer depending on its fixation: a pilot study. Ann Rehabil Med (2014); 38: 84–93.
Kolber MJ, et al. The reliability of hand-held dynamometry in measuring isometric strength of the shoulder internal and external rotator musculature using a stabilization device. Physiother Theory Pract (2007); 23: 119–124.
Kolber MJ, et al. The reliability and minimal detectable change of shoulder mobility measurements using a digital inclinometer. Physiother Theory Pract (2011); 27: 176–184.
Morris MG, et al. Relationships between muscle fatigue characteristics and markers of endurance performance. J Sports Sci Med (2008); 7: 431–436.
Overend T, et al. Relative and absolute reliability of physical function measures in people with end-stage renal disease. Physiother Can (2010); 62: 122–128.
Phillips BA, Lo SK, Mastaglia FL. Muscle force measured using “break” testing with a hand-held myometer in normal subjects aged 20 to 69 years. Arch Phys Med Rehabil (2000); 81: 653–661.
Schrama PPM, et al. Intraexaminer reliability of hand-held dynamometry in the upper extremity: a systematic review. Arch Phys Med Rehabil (2014); 95: 2444–2469.
Schwartz S, et al. Relationship between two measures of upper extremity strength: manual muscle test compared to hand-held myometry. Arch Phys Med Rehabil (1992); 73: 1063–1068.
Wadsworth CT, et al. Intrarater reliability of manual muscle testing and hand-held dynametric muscle testing. Phys Ther (1987); 67: 1342–1347.
Weir JP. Quantifying test-retest reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient and the SEM. J Strength Cond Res (2005); 19: 231–240.
Wollin M, Purdam C, Drew MK. Reliability of externally fixed dynamometry hamstring strength testing in elite youth football players. J Sci Med Sport (2015); pii: S1440-2440(15)00038-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2015.01.012. [Epub ahead of print].