Reliability of measurements of hip abduction strength obtained with a hand-held dynamometer

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate intrarater and interrater reliability when measuring hip abductor strength in the supine position using a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) (Study 1), and to elucidate the relationships between measured values and examiners' physical characteristics (Study 2). Three healthy examiners (1 female, 24 y.o. and 2 males 23 and 27 y.o) and 12 subjects (6 females, 24.5 ± 2.8 years and 6 males, 27.7 ± 3.5 years) participated in Study 1, and 20 healthy examiners (7 females, 22.3 ± 1.3 years and 13 males, 29.4 ± 8.2 years) and 2 subjects (1 female, 24 y.o. and 1 male 27 y.o) participated in Study 2. All healthy examiners were hospital employees. Hip abductor strength was measured by HHD with hand fixation and with belt fixation, and examiner age, sex, height, weight, BMI, and dominant hand grip strength were evaluated. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) (1,1), a measure of intrarater reliability, was 0.89-0.95 with hand fixation and 0.96-0.97 with belt fixation. ICC (2,1), a measure of interrater reliability, was 0.76-0.79 and 0.90-0.93, respectively. In subjects with high muscle strength (the examiner's hand was moved), the examiner's dominant hand grip strength affected muscle strength values with hand fixation (standardized partial regression coefficient = 0.78, determination coefficient R(2 )= 0.61, p < 0.01). In subjects with low muscle strength (the examiner's hand was not moved), no variables had effect. When the muscle strength of the subject is weak, both methods can be used. When the muscle strength of the subject is strong, it is necessary to adjust the value obtained by the examiner's dominant hand grip strength in the hand fixation method.

A comparison of multidisciplinary team residential rehabilitation with conventional outpatient care for the treatment of non-arthritic intra-articular hip pain in UK Military personnel – a protocol for a randomised controlled trial

“…Participants will be tested on a clinical examination couch in either a seated or supine position depending on the movement being measured. Test positions were chosen based on procedures often applied in the clinical setting [79–81]. In accordance with the description of Thorborg et al [78] an isometric ‘make-test’ will be used for testing.…”

“…The highest value will be used for analysis purposes. Good interrater reliability (ICC 0.76–0.79) and low test-retest variation (<10 %) has been demonstrated for the HHD measurement technique in measuring hip muscle strength [78, 81]. Descriptions of measurement techniques are provided at appendix 10 in Additional file 1.…”

A Maximum Muscle Strength Prediction Formula Using Theoretical Grade 3 Muscle Strength Value in Daniels et al.’s Manual Muscle Test, in Consideration of Age: An Investigation of Hip and Knee Joint Flexion and Extension

“…These methods have the limitation of requiring the joint angle to be fixed but have the advantage of using apparatuses that are lower in cost, smaller, and more easily operated compared to muscle strength evaluation methods that use isokinetic dynamometers [1, 2, 4, 9]. They have also been reported as having good reliability and therefore confirming their usefulness [11–15]. …”

Hip Abductor To Hip Adductor Strength Ratio Measurements In Patients With Non-Specific Low Back Pain

“…39,88 For the hip abductors, measurements were taken at the lateral distal third of the femur. 39,86 The HHD was connected to a non-elastic mobilization belt, allowing for maximal contraction to occur into an immovable object. The participant was brought to 30° of hip abduction, which removed any slack from the strap.…”

“…85 In multiple studies, when using a HHD on lower extremity muscles, the intrarater and interrater reliability is considered high (0.90-0.99). 12,[85][86][87] The issues that clinicians may run in to when using a HHD is measuring musculature that could be very strong. This may cause the researchers hand to move due to the amount of force needed to resist the participant.…”