Validity and reliability of isometric tests for the evidence-based assessment of arm strength impairment in wheelchair rugby classification.
J Sci Med Sport
; 23(6): 559-563, 2020 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31883779
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
The purpose of this study was to examine the validity and test-retest reliability of a battery of single-joint isometric strength tests, to establish whether the tests could be used for evidence-based classification in wheelchair rugby (WR).DESIGN:
Cross-sectional.METHODS:
Twenty male WR athletes with impaired arm strength and thirty able-bodied (AB) participants (15 male, 15 female) performed four isometric strength tests. Each test required three 5-s efforts and examined maximal isometric force for flexion and extension around the shoulder and elbow joint. Test validity was established by comparing differences (Cohen's effect sizes [d]) in strength between WR athletes and AB participants. Differences were also explored between male and female AB participants. Twenty AB participants returned for a second visit to establish the test-retest reliability of the test battery.RESULTS:
Significantly lower force values were observed for all isometric strength measures in WR athletes compared to AB participants (p≤0.0005; d≥2.14). Female AB participants also produced significantly less force than male AB participants for all joint actions (p≤0.0005; d≥1.93). No significant differences were identified between trials for any measure of strength, with acceptable levels of test-retest reliability reported (ICCs≥0.97, SEM≤19.3N and CV≤8.4%).CONCLUSIONS:
The current results demonstrated the validity of a battery of isometric strength tests, suggesting they can be used to reliably infer strength impairment in WR athletes, which is a pre-requisite when working towards evidence-based classification in Paralympic sport.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Braço
/
Cadeiras de Rodas
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Debilidade Muscular
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Futebol Americano
/
Paratletas
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Contração Isométrica
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
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Prevalence_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
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Female
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Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article