The concurrent validity and intrarater reliability of a hand-held dynamometer for the assessment of neck strength in semi-professional rugby union players

Ashall, Adam; Dobbin, Nick; Thorpe, Cari

doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.03.007

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Our intrasession reliability results coincide with previous studies in semi-professional Rugby Union players using different devices, wherein intrasession reliability of make test isometric neck strength measures using a fixed-mounted handheld dynamometer was good to excellent for extension, flexion, and bilateral lateral flexion (ICC = 0.77-0.92), as well as when tested against a manual resistance in these four directions (ICC = 0.77-0.90) [22]. When the reliability was assessed in a break test fashion with a handheld dynamometer in a seated position in academy Rugby Union players, intrasession reliability was good but did not reach excellent across directions (ICC = 0.80-0.85) [11].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…These maximal isometric neck strength values are similar to those observed with amateur players assessed in a contact position using a load cell or fixed-frame dynamometer [32]. Our ranges were, however, greater than those from isometric neck strength values assessed in a cohort of semi-professional Rugby Union players tested using a mounted handheld dynamometer and a make test approach (range 17.3-23.5 kg) [22]. The difference potentially reflects the superior procedural methods of the load cell with harness and cable set-up than the handheld dynamometer set-up due to the testing interaction between the participant and examiner in the latter method [22].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

“…The reliability of make test isometric neck strength measures from a load cell in healthy individuals was excellent between-day (ICC 0.94-0.98) performed in sitting position [21]. In semi-professional Rugby Union players, the make test intrasession reliability assessed using a fixed-mounted handheld dynamometer was good for flexion, extension, and bilateral lateral flexion (ICC 0.77-0.92), as well as when tested against a manual resistance in these four directions (ICC 0.77-0.90) [22]. However, intersession reliability for the neck test in Rugby Union has not been examined.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Reliability of Repeated Isometric Neck Strength in Rugby Union Players Using a Load Cell Device

Chavarro-Nieto

Beaven

Gill

et al. 2022

Sensors

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Concussion is the most common injury in professional Rugby Union (RU) players, with increasing incidence and severity each year. Strengthening the neck is an intervention used to decrease concussion incidence and severity, which can only be proven effective if strength neck measures are reliable. We conducted a repeated-measures reliability study with 23 male RU players. Neck strength was assessed seated in a ’make’ test fashion in flexion, extension, and bilateral-side flexion. Flexion-to-extension and left-to-right side ratios were also computed. Three testing sessions were undertaken over three consecutive weeks. Intrasession and intersession reliabilities were assessed using typical errors, coefficient of variations (CV), and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Intrasession reliability demonstrated good-to-excellent relative (ICC > 0.75) and good absolute (CV ≤ 20%) reliability in all directions (ICC = 0.86–0.95, CV = 6.4–8.8%), whereas intersession reliability showed fair relative (ICC: 0.40 to 0.75) and acceptable absolute (CV ≤ 20%) reliability for mean and maximal values (ICC = 0.51–0.69, CV = 14.5–19.8%). Intrasession reliability for flexion-to-extension ratio was good (relative, ICC = 0.86) and acceptable (absolute, CV = 11.5%) and was fair (relative, ICC = 0.75) and acceptable (absolute, CV = 11.5%) for left-to-right ratio. Intersession ratios from mean and maximal values were fair (relative, ICC = 0.52–0.55) but not always acceptable (absolute, CV = 16.8–24%). Assessing isometric neck strength with a head harness and a cable with a load cell device seated in semi-professional RU players is feasible and demonstrates good-to-excellent intrasession and fair intersession reliability. We provide data from RU players to inform practice and assist standardisation of testing methods.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Reliability of Repeated Isometric Neck Strength in Rugby Union Players Using a Load Cell Device

Chavarro-Nieto

Beaven

Gill

et al. 2022

Sensors

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“…This push mode has the disadvantage that examiner’s sex and strength influence the strength values (the reliability increases when the rater is stronger than the subject) [ 14 ]. Pull HHD consists of the patient pulling the HHD, which is generally attached to a rigid structure such as espalier, stretcher, or glass suction cup and showing to be also a reliable method [ 12 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Therefore, since this method requires a certain infrastructure and make it difficult to carry out certain movements, push HHDs is the type commonly used by clinicians.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability of Strength Measurements Using a Pull Hand-Held Dynamometer Fixed to the Examiner’s Body and Comparison with Push Dynamometry

et al. 2021

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Hand held dynamometers (HHDs) are the most used method to measure strength in clinical sitting. There are two methods to realize the assessment: pull and push. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the intra- and inter-rater reliability of a new measurement modality for pull HHD and to compare the inter-rater reliability and agreement of the measurements. Forty healthy subjects were evaluated by two assessors with different body composition and manual strength. Fifteen isometric tests were performed in two sessions with a one-week interval between them. Reliability was examined using the intra-class correlation (ICC) and the standard error of measurement (SEM). Agreement between raters was examined using paired t-tests. Intra- and inter-rater reliability for the tests performed with the pull HHD showed excellent values, with ICCs ranging from 0.991 to 0.998. For tests with values higher than 200 N, push HHD showed greater differences between raters than pull HHD. Pull HHD attached to the examiner’s body is a method with excellent reliability to measure isometric strength and showed better agreement between examiners, especially for those tests that showed high levels of strength. Pull HHD is a new alternative to perform isometric tests with less rater dependence.

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“…In clinical practice, a dynamometer is a kind of popular quantifiable appliance for sports and rehabilitation training as it is simple to use, portable, and cost-effective. However, it can only be used to measure the strength of certain synergistic muscle groups ( Ashall et al, 2021 ; Tanveer et al, 2021 ), and it cannot be utilized to establish biomechanical studies on individual muscles in vivo .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Knee Joint Angle and Contraction Intensity on the Triceps Surae Stiffness

Lin

Deng

Liang

et al. 2022

Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.

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Purpose: Monitoring the contractility of muscles assists the clinician in understanding how muscle functions as part of the kinetic system. This study investigated the effect of knee joint angles under different resistance on the stiffness of the medial gastrocnemius (MG), lateral gastrocnemius (LG), and soleus (SOL) muscles using the shear wave elastography (SWE) technique.Methods: A total of 22 females were recruited. During isometric plantar flexion, at knee 0-degree (fully extended) and knee 90-degree (flexed 90°), the shear modulus on the MG, LG, and SOL was measured by shear wave elastography at no contraction and two intensities (40% and 80%) of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Shear modulus is a mechanical parameter to describe stiffness, and stiffness is a proxy for muscle contractility.Results: There were moderate-to high-positive correlations between the active stiffness of triceps surae muscles and isometric contraction intensity (r: 0.57–0.91, p＜0.001). The active stiffness in MG and LG with extended knees was higher than that with flexed knees (p＜0.001). The active stiffness in SOL with flexed knee was higher than that with extended knee (p＜0.001).Conclusion: Active stiffness can be considered a quantitative indicator generated by the force output of the triceps surae. Different knee joint angles cause three triceps surae muscles to exhibit non-uniform mechanical properties, which may explain part of the mechanism of soft tissue injury during physical exercise.

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The concurrent validity and intrarater reliability of a hand-held dynamometer for the assessment of neck strength in semi-professional rugby union players

Cited by 11 publications

References 32 publications

Reliability of Repeated Isometric Neck Strength in Rugby Union Players Using a Load Cell Device

Reliability of Repeated Isometric Neck Strength in Rugby Union Players Using a Load Cell Device

Intra- and Inter-Rater Reliability of Strength Measurements Using a Pull Hand-Held Dynamometer Fixed to the Examiner’s Body and Comparison with Push Dynamometry

Effects of Knee Joint Angle and Contraction Intensity on the Triceps Surae Stiffness

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