A new real-time visual assessment method for faulty movement patterns during a jump-landing task

Abstract

Objective: Determine the interrater reliability of a new real-time assessment of faulty movement patterns during a jump-landing task.

Design: Interrater reliability study.

Setting: Human movement laboratory.

Participants: 50 healthy females.

Main outcome measures: Assessment included 6 items which were evaluated from a front and a side view. Two Physical Therapy students used a 9-point scale (0-8) to independently rate the quality of movement as good (0-2), moderate (3-5), or poor (6-8). Interrater reliability was expressed by percent agreement and weighted kappa.

Results: One examiner rated the quality of movement of 6 subjects as good, 34 subjects as moderate, and 10 subjects as poor. The second examiner rated the quality of movement of 12 subjects as good, 23 subjects as moderate, and 15 subjects as poor. Percent agreement and weighted kappa (95% confidence interval) were 78% and 0.68 (0.51, 0.85), respectively.

Conclusions: A new real-time assessment of faulty movement patterns during jump-landing demonstrated adequate interrater reliability. Further study is warranted to validate this method against a motion analysis system, as well as to establish its predictive validity for injury.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Movement quality; Patellofemoral pain; Reliability.