Validity and Reliability of a Portable Isometric Mid-Thigh Clean Pull

Abstract

This study investigated the test-retest reliability and criterion validity of force-time curve variables collected via a portable isometric mid-thigh clean pull (IMTP) device equipped with a single-axial load cell. Fifteen males with ≥ 6 months of resistance training experience attended two testing sessions. In each session, participants performed an IMTP in two separate conditions in a randomized, counterbalanced manner. The criterion condition consisted of a closed-chain IMTP configured with a force plate (IMTPf), while the experimental test was undertaken using a portable IMTP with data acquired via a single-axial load cell (IMTPl). A very high reliability (CV = 3.10, 90% CI: 2.4 -4.6%; ICC = 0.96, 90% CI: 0.90 -0.98) and acceptable validity (CV = 9.2, 90% CI: 7 -14%; ICC = 0.88, 90% CI: 0.71-0.95) were found in the experimental condition for the measure of peak force. However, significant differences were present between the IMTPf and IMTPl (p<0.0001). Alternate force-time curve variables did not reach acceptable levels of validity or reliability in the experimental condition. The IMTPl is a valid and highly reliable method for assessing peak force. This provides evidence supporting the use of an IMTPl as a cost effective and portable alternative for those who wish to assess maximal force production in a similar fashion to a traditional IMTP. However, practitioners should be aware that these are slightly different tests.

The Effect of Hip Joint Angle on Isometric Midthigh Pull Kinetics

“…Equally, both postures demonstrated high levels of within-session reliability for timespecific force values (Table 1) comparable to the reliability measures reported in previous research (4,12,22,29). Limited studies have inspected the between-session reliability of time-specific force values (15,26). High and acceptable between-session reliability measures were demonstrated for all time-specific force values (Table 2) in accordance with the reliability measures reported in youth male soccer players (15) and higher than the measures reported by James et al (26).…”

“…Limited studies have inspected the between-session reliability of time-specific force values (15,26). High and acceptable between-session reliability measures were demonstrated for all time-specific force values (Table 2) in accordance with the reliability measures reported in youth male soccer players (15) and higher than the measures reported by James et al (26). The results from this study confirm that both postures produce equally high within-session and between-session reliability measures for PF and time-specific force values.…”

“…Haff et al (22) has shown that the method to quantify RFD can influence the resultant value and reliability of such measures, and as such, using pre-determined time bands to calculate RFD has been recommended. To our knowledge only one other study (26) (Table 1). Therefore, the results from this study confirm that a hip 145 posture produces high-within session reliability for all RFD variables however both postures result in unacceptable reliability for RFD 100 (Table 1 &…”

The Validity and Responsiveness of Isometric Lower Body Multi-Joint Tests of Muscular Strength: a Systematic Review

“…In accordance with the recommendations made by James et al [25], force plate derived measurements should not be interchangeably compared to a load cell device to reduce potential for systematic error.…”

Validity of an Isometric Midthigh Pull Dynamometer in Male Youth Athletes

“…However, when body weight was removed (PFBW), the dynamometer still underestimated peak force, which may have occurred due to the open chain design of the dynamometer, which could increase the likelihood of force being applied outside of the vertical axis (13) alongside increased proprioception requirements within the open chained dynamometer compared to the closed chain force platform (13).…”