Validity and Reliability of Isometric-Bench for Knee Isometric Assessment

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jun 17;17(12):4326. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17124326.

Abstract

There is a strong need for a new, probably cheaper, smaller, and more portable isometric dynamometer. With this aim, we investigated the concurrent validity and reliability of a low-cost portable dynamometer to measure the isometric strength of the lower limb. Seventeen young participants (age 16.47 ± 0.51 years) were randomly assessed on three different days for knee flexion and extension isometric forces with two different devices: a commonly used isokinetic dynamometer (ISOC) and a portable isometric dynamometer prototype (ISOM). No significant differences were observed between the ISOC and the ISOM (all comparisons p > 0.05). Test-retest comparison showed the ISOM to have high reliability (ICC 0.879-0.990). This study showed that measurements with the ISOM could be performed without systematic bias and with high reliability. The ISOM is a device that is able to assess knee isometric strength with excellent concurrent validity and reliability.

Keywords: concurrent validity and reliability; field test; isometric assessment; testing.

Publication types

  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Isometric Contraction*
  • Muscle Strength Dynamometer*
  • Muscle Strength*
  • Muscle, Skeletal
  • Reproducibility of Results