[ research report ] V isual observation of lower extremity movement patterns during various tasks is a common way to assess dynamic function and alignment in the clinical setting. 7,19 Functional movements, such as the lunge, step-up, step-down, singleleg press, bilateral squat, and balance and reach, are frequently used to assess movement quality of the lower extremities. 2,5,19,20,22 Authors of previous studies have reported moderate to good interrater reliability for visual assessment of movement quality during a single-limb minisquat in healthy individuals (κ = 0.92) 1 and a lateral step-down in healthy subjects (κ = 0.59) 25 and in those with patellofemoral pain syndrome (κ = 0.67).
25Thus, the interrater reliability of these observational lower extremity movementpattern tests should be adequate to support their use in clinical practice.The forward step-down (FSD) is a functional task requiring stair descent, which involves weight-bearing stress at various knee flexion angles as well as dynamic muscular control. Poor mechanics during an FSD task could place abnormal stresses on the knee at both the tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints.18 Accordingly, the FSD task could be performed either as a screening tool 18 or as an exercise for knee rehabilitation. 8,31,32 Loudon et al 18 used the FSD task as a screening tool to determine level of function and reported moderate to high intrarater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient model 3,1 = 0.94) in individuals with patellofemoral pain syndrome. However, no studies have investigated the interrater reliability of the FSD task in healthy individuals, which is needed to determine how suitable the test is for clinical practice and screening for risk of injuries.An exaggerated dynamic knee valgus during weight-bearing tasks can result from many factors, including a lack of muscular strength and flexibility.23,24 During weight-bearing tasks requiring knee flexion, the hip abductors and external rotators act eccentrically both to stabi-T T STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional.
T T OBJECTIVE:To investigate the interrater reliability of movement-quality ratings for the forward step-down (FSD) test and to compare hip muscle strength and lower extremity joint range of motion and muscle flexibility among asymptomatic women with different levels of movement quality.
T T BACKGROUND:The interrater reliability of the FSD test has not yet been investigated. Additionally, it is not known whether differences in musculoskeletal measures exist among individuals with different levels of movement quality during the FSD test.
T T METHODS:Two physical therapists assessed movement quality during the FSD test in 26 a symptomatic women (mean SD age, 22.7 0.9 years). Hip muscle strength and lower extremity joint range of motion and muscle flexibility were also assessed. The interrater reliability of the FSD test was estimated by using the kappa coefficient and percent agreement. Differences in musculoskeletal measures based on movement quality were assessed by independent t tests.
T ...
