Validity and reliability of isometric tests for the evidence-based assessment of arm strength impairment in wheelchair rugby classification
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 = 19.3 N 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.
© Copyright 2020 Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. Elsevier. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään.
Aiheet: | rugby pyörätuoliurheilu vammaisurheilu testi vaihtelu laatukriteeri voima, vahvuus käsivarsi staattinen |
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Aihealueet: | biologiset ja lääketieteelliset tieteet valmennusoppi vammaisurheilu urheilukilpailut |
Tagging: | isometrisch |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.12.022 |
Julkaisussa: | Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport |
Julkaistu: |
2020
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Vuosikerta: | 23 |
Numero: | 6 |
Sivuja: | 559-563 |
Julkaisutyypit: | artikkeli |
Kieli: | englanti (kieli) |
Taso: | kehittynyt |