The reliability and validity of novel clinical strength measures of the upper body in older adults

Introduction Research investigating psychometric properties of multi-joint upper body strength assessment tools for older adults is limited. This study aimed to assess the test–retest reliability and concurrent validity of novel clinical strength measures assessing functional concentric and eccentric pushing activities compared to other more traditional upper limb strength measures. Methods Seventeen participants (6 males and 11 females; 71 ± 10 years) were tested two days apart, performing three maximal repetitions of the novel measurements: vertical push-off test and dynamometer-controlled concentric and eccentric single-arm press. Three maximal repetitions of hand-grip dynamometry and isometric hand-held dynamometry for shoulder flexion, shoulder abduction and elbow extension were also collected. Results For all measures, strong test–retest reliability was shown (all ICC > 0.90, p < 0.001), root-mean-squared coefficient of variation percentage: 5–13.6%; standard error of mean: 0.17–1.15 Kg; and minimal detectable change (90%): 2.1–9.9. There were good to high significant correlations between the novel and traditional strength measures (all r > 0.8, p < 0.001). Discussion The push-off test and dynamometer-controlled concentric and eccentric single-arm press are reliable and valid strength measures feasible for testing multi-joint functional upper limb strength assessment in older adults. Higher precision error compared to traditional uni-planar measures warrants caution when completing comparative clinical assessments over time.

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Reliability of the ForceFrame With and Without a Fixed Upper-Limb Mold in Shoulder Rotation Strength Assessments Compared With Traditional Hand-Held Dynamometry

Journal of Sport Rehabilitation ◽

10.1123/jsr.2020-0434 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Jamon Couch ◽

Marc Sayers ◽

Tania Pizzari

Keyword(s):

Upper Limb ◽

External Rotation ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Shoulder Abduction ◽

Minimal Detectable Change ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽

Shoulder Strength ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Context: An imbalance between shoulder internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) strength in athletes is proposed to increase the risk of sustaining a shoulder injury. Hand-held (HHD) and externally fixed dynamometry are reliable forms of assessing shoulder IR and ER strength. A new externally fixed device with an attachable fixed upper-limb mold (The ForceFrame) exists; however, its reliability in measuring shoulder strength is yet to be investigated. Objective: To determine the test–retest reliability of the ForceFrame, with and without the fixed upper-limb mold, in the assessment of shoulder IR and ER strength, as compared with HHD. Design: Test–retest reliability study. Setting: Laboratory, clinical. Participants: Twenty-two healthy and active individuals were recruited from the university community and a private physiotherapy practice. Main Outcome Measures: Maximal isometric shoulder IR and ER strength was measured using the ForceFrame and traditional HHD in neutral and at 90° shoulder abduction. Mean (SD) strength measures were calculated. Test–retest reliability was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (3, 1). The SEM and minimal detectable change were calculated. Results: Good to excellent test–retest reliability was found for all shoulder strength tests across Hand-held dynamometry (HHD) and externally fixed dynamometry (EFD) are reliable forms (intraclass correlation coefficients [3, 1] = .854–.916). The minimal detectable changes ranged between 25.61 and 41.84 N across tests. Test–retest reliability was not affected by the dynamometer or testing position. Conclusions: The results from this study indicate that both the ForceFrame and HHD are suitable for measuring shoulder strength in clinical practice. The use of the fixed upper-limb mold with the ForceFrame does not improve reliability.

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Test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change of the Contextual Memory Test in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0236654 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (7) ◽

pp. e0236654

Author(s):

Wan-wen Liao ◽

Ching-yi Wu ◽

Chien-Hsiou Liu ◽

Szu-hung Lin ◽

Hui-Yan Chiau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽

Memory Test ◽

Minimal Detectable Change ◽

Detectable Change ◽

Contextual Memory ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Test Retest Reliability

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Test-Retest Reliability and Minimal Detectable Change of the Instrumented Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance in Healthy, Older Adults

Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy ◽

10.1519/jpt.0000000000000274 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽

Author(s):

Seth Watson ◽

Elaine Trudelle-Jackson

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Minimal Detectable Change ◽

Clinical Test ◽

Detectable Change ◽

Sensory Interaction ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Healthy Older Adults ◽

Test Retest Reliability

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Five-Meter Rope-Climbing: A Commando-Specific Power Test of the Upper Limbs

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2014-0334 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 509-515 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Wissem Dhahbi ◽

Anis Chaouachi ◽

Johnny Padulo ◽

David G. Behm ◽

Karim Chamari

Keyword(s):

Power Output ◽

Concurrent Validity ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Upper Body ◽

Specific Power ◽

Minimal Detectable Change ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Power Test ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Purpose:To examine the concurrent validity and absolute and relative reliabilities of a commando-specific power test.Participants:21 antiterrorism commandos.Methods:All participants were assessed on a 5-m rope-climbing test (RCT) and the following tests: pull-ups, push-ups, estimated-1-repetition-maximum (est-1RM), medicine-ball put, and handgrip-strength test. The stopwatch method related to the execution time (ET) was validated by comparison with video motion analysis. The best individual attempt of 3 trials was kept for analysis, and the performance was expressed in absolute power output (APO) and body-mass relative power output (RPO).Results:Stopwatch assessment had an excellent criterion validity (r = .99, P < .001), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3,1) of .98, standard errors of measurement (SEM%) of 1.19%, bias ± the 95% limits of agreement of 0.03 ± 0.26 s, and minimal detectable change (MDC95) of 0.51 s. The ET, APO, and RPO were significantly correlated (P < .05) with all cited tests (absolute-value r range .55−.98), while est-1RM was not significantly correlated with the other tests. Test-retest reliability coefficients were excellent for ET, APO, and RPO (ICC3,1 > .90). The SEM% values for the ET, APO, and RPO were all under 5% (range 3.73−4.52%), all being smaller than the corresponding smallest worthwhile change. The coefficients of variation for the ET, APO, and RPO were all under 10%. %MDC95 ranged from 10.37% to 12.53%.Conclusions:Considering the strong concurrent validity and excellent test–retest reliability, the RCT is simple to administer, has ecological validity, and is a valid specific field test of upper-body power for commandos and, in addition, can be accurately assessed with a stopwatch.

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Psychometric Properties of a Clinical Strength Assessment Protocol in People with Multiple Sclerosis

International Journal of MS Care ◽

10.7224/1537-2073.2016-078 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 19 (5) ◽

pp. 253-262 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Mark M. Mañago ◽

Jeffrey R. Hebert ◽

Margaret Schenkman

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Psychometric Properties ◽

Discriminant Validity ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Minimal Detectable Change ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Strength Assessment ◽

Assessment Protocol ◽

Flexion Extension ◽

Test Retest Reliability

Background: Strength training in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is an important component of rehabilitation, but it can be challenging for clinicians to quantify strength accurately and reliably. This study investigated the psychometric properties of a clinical strength assessment protocol using handheld dynamometry and other objective, quantifiable tests for the lower extremities and trunk in people with MS. Methods: This study determined discriminant validity between 25 participants with MS and 25 controls and between participants with MS who had higher versus lower disability; test-retest reliability across 7 to 10 days; and response stability. The protocol included handheld dynamometry measurements of ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion and extension; hip flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction; and trunk lateral flexion. Muscular endurance tests were used to measure trunk extension, trunk flexion, and ankle plantarflexion. Results: The protocol discriminated between participants with MS and controls for all muscles tested (P < .001–.003). The protocol also discriminated between low- and moderate-disability groups (P = .001–.046) for 80% of the muscles tested. Test-retest reliability intraclass correlation coefficients were high (0.81–0.97). Minimal detectable change as a percentage of the mean was 13% to 36% for 85% of muscles tested. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the discriminant validity, test-retest reliability, and response stability of a strength assessment protocol in people with MS. This protocol may be useful for tracking outcomes in people with MS for clinical investigations and practice.

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