Reliability of Different Protocols for Elbow Flexion and Extension Strength Measurement via Hand-held Dynamometer

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate the reliability of elbow flexion and extension strength measurements via a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) in different positions and to determine the minimal detectable change (MDC).

Design

Reliability study.

Methods

Twenty healthy university students were evaluated at an exercise laboratory. Elbow flexion and extension strength were each measured by two physiotherapists in three different positions. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated to assess intra-rater reliability (ICC 3,3) and inter-rater reliability (ICC 3,3) and were used to calculate MDC.

Results

All measurement procedures have excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability scores in females (0.88–0.98) and males (0.81–0.95), except for moderate intra-rater reliability (0.72) for seated measurement of elbow flexion strength with the shoulder at 90-degree flexion in males. There is a systematic difference in inter-rater results for all flexion positions and intra-rater results for one flexion position in males (p<0.05). MDC95% ranged from 3.44 to 11.69 for intra-rater scores and from 6.19 to10.79 for inter-rater scores.

Conclusions

All procedures showed excellent reliability, except for moderate intra-rater reliability in seated measurement of elbow flexion strength with the shoulder at 90-degree flexion in males. However, elbow flexion measurement was prone to systematic differences in males. Muscle strength of the tested individual and testers should be considered.

Zusammenfassung

Ziele

Untersuchung der Zuverlässigkeit von Messungen der Ellenbogenbeugungs- und -streckkraft mithilfe eines Handdynamometers (HHD) in verschiedenen Positionen und Bestimmungen der minimalen nachweisbaren Änderungen (MDC).

Design

Zuverlässigkeitsstudie.

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Methode

Zwanzig gesunde Universitätsstudenten wurden im Übungslabor untersucht. Messungen der Ellenbogenbeugung und -streckung wurden von jeweils 2 Physiotherapeuten in 3 verschiedenen Positionen durchgeführt. Für die Intrarater-Reliabilität (ICC 3,3) und die Interrater-Reliabilität (ICC 3,3) wurden klasseninterne Korrelationskoeffizienten (ICCs) berechnet und zur Berechnung des MDC verwendet.

Ergebnisse

Alle Messverfahren weisen bei Frauen (0,88–0,98) und Männern (0,81–0,95) ausgezeichnete Intra- und Inter-Bewerter-Zuverlässigkeitswerte auf, mit der Ausnahme, dass die Messung der Ellenbogenbeugungskraft im Sitzen bei 90°-Flexion der Schulter eine mäßige Intra-Bewerter-Zuverlässigkeit bei Männern aufweist (0,72). Es gibt einen systematischen Unterschied zwischen den Ergebnissen der Inter-Bewerter für alle Flexionspositionen und den Ergebnissen der Intra-Bewerter für eine Flexionsposition bei Männern (p<0,05). Der 95%-MDC für Intra-Bewerter-Scores schwankte zwischen 3,44 und 11,69 und für Inter-Bewerter-Scores zwischen 6,19 und 10,79.

Schlussfolgerung

Alle Verfahren zeigten eine ausgezeichnete Zuverlässigkeit, außer dass die Messung der Ellenbogenbeugungskraft im Sitzen bei 90-Flexion der Schulter bei Männern eine mäßige Intra-Reviewer-Zuverlässigkeit aufwies. Allerdings war die Messung der Ellenbogenbeugung bei Männern anfällig für systematische Unterschiede. Die Muskelkraft der getesteten Person und der Tester sollte berücksichtigt werden.

Keywords

physical fitness - healthy - evaluation study - musculoskeletal system

Schlüsselwörter

Körperliche Fitness - Gesund - Evaluationsstudie - Bewegungsapparat

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 22. November 2023

Angenommen nach Revision: 26. Juni 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
24. September 2025

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