Test re-test reliability of the UNC Functional Performance Test

Context. Football is a high risk contact sport in which many injuries are sustained to the lower extremity. Functional screening tests exist for football, but it is unknown if they are specifically used as criteria for return to play. The UNC Functional Performance Test has been used as criteria for return to play but reliability for this test is unknown. Objective . The purpose of this study was to establish reliability for the UNC Functional Performance Test (UNCFPT), a battery of functional skills. Design. This study was conducted as a prospective test re-test design. Setting. One site was used with only one test administrator. Data collection occurred at the athletic facilities on the campus of a division II Mid-Atlantic University. Patients and other participants. A total of 47 participants from a D-II football program were used for this study aged 18--23 (19.77 +/- 1.43 years), mass of 73.48 to 147.87 kg (101.38 +/- 20.08 kg), and a height of 167.6 to 198.1 cm (184.45 +/- 7.62 cm). All participants that volunteered for the study were current players encompassing a variety of position groups and were free of a lower extremity injury within the last six months. Interventions. The participants were asked to complete the UNC Functional Performance Test of which included the shuffle box drill, figure eight test, single leg (SL) hop test for time, carioca test, and SL triple hop for distance. There was an aerobic warm-up period followed by both static and dynamic stretches prior to testing as well as a cool down period upon completion of all tasks. Testing protocol following the warm-up consisted of a demonstration of the task, 50% effort by the subject, a thirty second rest, 75% effort by the subject, two minute break and three maximum trials. Athletes were given thirty seconds of rest between maximal trials and additional thirty seconds before the next task was demonstrated. The examiner documented the maximal attempts in seconds for all tasks except for the SL triple jump of which data was recorded in inches. The procedure remained exactly the same for each week of testing. Data was collected at the site over two separate three week periods. For each testing session, the first week consisted of a training session followed by the second week of data collection and then another data collection a week later. Main outcome measures. The expectations of this study will be that the UNC Functional Performance Test will be a reliable objective functional measure and similar results will be evident throughout Weeks 2 and 3. Results. The individual components of the UNCFPT had excellent ICC and low standard error of measurement (SEM) scores indicating the tasks were reliable and precise. Little variation would exist in the results if the same person repeated the tasks multiple times. The shuffle box drill had an ICC of .933 (.880 to .963, 95% CI) with a SEM of .202. The figure eight had an ICC score of .892 (.806 to .940, 95% CI) with a SEM of .329. The SL hop test had the lowest ICC score of .873 (.772 to .929, 95% CI) with a .211 SEM score. The carioca had an ICC score of .930 (.874 to .961, 95% CI) along with a SEM score of .173. The SL triple hop had the highest ICC score of .956 (.931 to .973, 95% CI) and SEM of 5.975 for the right side and a SEM on the left side of 5.890. Therefore, with these independent ICC and SEM scores, it can be speculated that the UNCFPT as a whole would have an approximate ICC score of .9168 (95% CI) and have a SEM between .173 and 5.975. Due to the fact the tasks had different forms of measure (time and distance), the actual ICC and SEM could not be calculated for the UNCFPT. Conclusion . The UNC Functional Performance Test is a reliable objective functional assessment tool that can be used to aid clinicians in the return to play decision making process. It should not be used alone but should be used in conjunction with other clinical measures such as ROM, anthropometric girth, manual muscle testing and subjective pain ratings. Further research needs to be conducted on the validity of the UNC Functional Performance Test since excellent reliability was established in this study

A longitudinal study of the well-being of students using the student well-being process questionnaire (WPQ)

Background: Previous research shows that the Student Well-being Process Questionnaire (Student WPQ) has good content validity, construct validity, and discriminate validity. Objective: The present research examined the reliability and predictive validity of the Student WPQ scales. Method: Eighty-seven university undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18-47 years participated in a longitudinal study which involved completing an online survey twice, with the sessions being 10 weeks apart. The data were used to assess the test-re-test reliability and the predictive validity of the scales. Results: Positive personality and social support had high test-re-test reliability and demands and negative coping had slightly lower reliability suggesting that the WPQ measures both stable traits and changes in state. Cross-sectional analyses confirmed that the predictor variables were associated with wellbeing outcomes. Cross-lag analysis showed that the positive personality and demands at time 1 predicted wellbeing at time 2. Changes in positive personality predicted changes in wellbeing. Conclusion: These findings show that the student WPQ has good test-re-test reliability and can be used in longitudinal studies which give a stronger indication of causalit

Test Re-Test Reliability of Peak Force During Isometric Knee extension and Squat

Acquiring reliable performance outcomes for laboratory procedures is critical for evaluation and prescription thereafter. Additionally, reliable data collected from separate testing days may present potential errors in the overall methodological approach. Instructing and testing participants to perform tasks that are relatively new can come with a learning curve and may require additional practice and familiarization. PURPOSE: To determine the reliability of peak force production during the isometric knee extension (KE) and squat (SQ) performed on two separate days. METHODS: Fourteen male (23±3 yrs.; 87.74±11.82 kg; 175.57±6.92 cm ) and 12 female (23±3 yrs., 62.79±5.89kg; 165±5.76cm) lower body resistance trained individuals completed 8 separate maximal isometric voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the KE and SQ using an S-Beam load cell and custom made chair and platform. Following a familiarization visit, each subject randomly completed two MVCs at 110° and 150° (KE110°, KE150°, SQ110°, SQ150°) of knee extension for both performances on two-separate visits. The MVC that had the highest force was chosen for further analysis using the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC3,1) for reliability between days (KE110°, KE150°, SQ110°, SQ150°). RESULTS: For MVCs during KE150°, SQ110°, and SQ150°, there was no systematic variability in force between days (ICC3,1 = 0.71-0.91). However, for KE110° , there was a difference (p= 0.04) in ICC3,1 for peak force between testing days. CONCLUSION: Performing MVCs during isometric KE and SQ on separate days may provide reliable outcomes for measuring force production. However, consideration may need to be taken when requiring participants to perform at knee joint angles that may require more practice or comfortability with the movement task

The Test Re-Test Reliability of A Novel Single Leg Hop Test (T-Drill Hop Test)

# Background Functional training and testing are an important part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program stressing the neuromuscular system in ways that simulate athletic performance to help determine criteria for return to sport. There are numerous single leg hop tests that have been used for these purposes, however, the validity and clinical relevance has been questioned. Many of the functional performance tests assess only the sagittal plane or forward direction and may only partially assess a person’s athletic abilities. There is a need for reliable and valid functional tests to assess in a multi-directional manner. # Purpose/Hypothesis The purpose of this study is to determine the test re-test reliability of a novel multi-directional timed single leg hop test (T-Drill Hop Test) for use in rehabilitation and performance assessments. # Study Design Cross-sectional reliability study. # Methods Fifty healthy recreationally active college age subjects, (23 males and 27 females) between the ages of 18 and 35, (mean age 23.48 with SD 3.82) consented to perform the test. The subjects hopped along a 10ft. x 10ft. “T” shaped course. Subjects performed two timed maximum effort trials of the T-Drill Hop Test on each leg with an interval of 3-7 days between the two testing days. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were calculated to determine intersession reliability. # Results The inter-rater reliability (ICC’s) for the entire group of 50 subjects ranged between .98 and 1.00 suggesting excellent reliability. The bilateral comparison, utilizing paired t-tests, of the T-Drill Hop Test demonstrated no significant differences between the time scores for the dominant and non-dominant legs for either males or females (p>.05). # Conclusion This study demonstrates the T-Drill Hop Test has excellent test re-test reliability. These results are important prior to validation and utilization as a clinical functional performance test. # Levels of Evidence Level

Test re-test reliability of single and multijoint strength properties in female Australian footballers

© 2021, The Author(s). Purpose: To examine the test re-test reliability of isometric maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) of hip adduction (ADDISO), hip abduction (ABDISO), and multijoint leg extension (SQUATISO) in sub-elite female Australian footballers. Methods: Data were collected from 24 sub-elite female Australian footballers (age 22.6 ± 4.5 years; height 169.4 ± 5.5 cm; body mass 66.6 ± 8.0 kg; 4.5 ± 4.4 years sport-specific training; 2.5 ± 2.0 years unstructured resistance training) from the same club on two non-consecutive days. Participants performed three isometric MVCs of ADDISO, ABDISO, and SQUATISO. The SQUATISO was performed at 140° knee flexion with a vertical trunk position and ADDISO and ABDISO measures were performed in a supine position at 60° of knee flexion and 60° hip flexion. Reliability was assessed using paired t tests and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), typical error (TE), and coefficient of variation (CV%) with 95% CI. Results: SQUATISO peak force (ICC.95; CV% 4.1), ABDISO for left, right, and sum (ICC.90–.92; CV% 5.0–5.7), and ADDISO for left, right, and sum (ICC.86–.91; CV% 6.2–6.9) were deemed acceptably reliable based on predetermined criteria (ICC ≥ .8 and CV% ≤ 10). Conclusion: SQUATISO, ABDISO, and ADDISO tests demonstrated acceptable reliability for the assessment of peak force in sub-elite female Australian footballers, suggesting these assessments are suitable for muscle strength testing and monitoring adaptations to training

Test Re-Test Reliability of Motor Unit Action Potential Relationships During Isokinetic Knee Extension

Decomposition electromyography (EMG) is now capable of examining relationships between motor unit (MU) firing behaviors during dynamic movements. However, reliability across testing sessions has yet to be established within the quadriceps group during controlled isokinetic contractions. PURPOSE: To examine test re-test reliability of MU identification and firing behaviors of the knee extensor muscles during isokinetic contractions. METHODS: Nine (22.67 ± 1.17 yrs., 172.47 ± 5.43 cm, 77.75 ± 10.72 kg) recreationally active individuals randomly performed ten continuous knee extension contractions at 60°/s and 180°/s on two separate visits. Surface EMG was used to record activation in the vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus lateralis (VL) between visits. Locations were marked for accurate replacement of the sensors between visits. Signals from each location during each visit were decomposed and validated for statistical analysis. Interclass correlation coefficients (ICC, 2,1) were used to assess the reliability of linear coefficients from the MFR vs MUAP relationships for the validated MUs between visits. RESULTS: Test re-test reliability of the MFR vs MUAP slopes for the VM at 60°/s and 180°/s displayed moderate reliability (ICC = 0.681 - 0.727). For the VL, MFR vs MUAP slopes and y-intercepts during both velocities showed poor to moderate reliability (ICC = 0.098 – 0.452). Slope and y-intercepts for the RF at 60°/s displayed poor reliability (ICC = 0.407, 0.492, respectively), but good and moderate reliability at 180°/s (ICC = 0.920, 0.647, respectively) DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that the velocity of the contraction may elicit variations in MU identification, decomposition, and relationships in the knee extensor muscles activation during isokinetic contractions. Many of the moderate to poor reliability classifications may have been due to the chosen velocities and repetitions performed. Future investigations will consider these to best identify future recommendations in decomposition EMG during dynamic movements

Test re-test repeatability of the strain index

The Strain Index (SI) has repeatedly shown high levels of validity for differentiating between safe and hazardous tasks for the distal upper extremity (DUE). One limitation of the SI is the lack of reliability data. This study was designed to evaluate the test-retest repeatability of the SI. Fifteen raters, divided into five teams of three, were asked to use the SI to analyze 73 video AVI files of different job tasks; initially as individuals and then as teams. Several months later, raters were asked to repeat individual and team job task assessments. Raters were instructed to analyze tasks using five of six SI task variables, while the sixth was held constant. For three of these task variables, additional data was collected such as peak force and duration of job cycle. Test-retest repeatability was measured using Pearson's R, Spearman's rho, and tetrachoric correlation according to the nature of the variable. Spearman's rho values for individual and team task variable ratings ranged from 0.68 to 0.96 (0.88 average). Pearson's R for task variable data ranged from 0.76 to 0.99 for both teams and individuals with an average of 0.91. The Strain Index's rho values for individuals and teams were 0.70 and 0.84, respectively. For hazard classification, the tetrachoric correlation for individuals was 0.81 and 0.88 for teams. Results of this study support the conclusion that the Strain Index is repeatable when used by teams as well as individuals

Test-Re-test Reliability of Sahrmann Lower Abdominal Core Stability Test for DII Baseball Athletes

Context: Baseball athletes need to maintain a strong core for functional activities. The core not only transfers the energy from the hips to the throwing arm, but maintains stability and can decrease injury rates. There are several tests represented in the literature to measure core stability, but none have been advocated to use for baseball. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of the Sahrmann lower abdominal core stability in baseball. Design: The study was conducted as a prospective test re-test design. Setting: The testing took place at one location and only one clinician administered the testing. Data collection took place at the athletic facilities on the campus of a Division II Mid-Atlantic University. Patients and Other Participants: A totally of 30 participants from a D-II baseball program will be used for this study. The subjects were 19.73+/-1.41 year\u27s old, 83.93+/-6.94 kg in weight and 180.68+/-5.06 cm in height. All participants volunteered for the study and were current players encompassing a variety of positions, and were injury free within 6 months. Interventions: The participants were asked to complete as much of the Sahrmann lower abdominal core stability test correctly. There was no warm up prior to testing. The testing protocol was demonstrated and there was a training period consisting of 2 sub-max trials. The data was collected over a two week period. Main Outcomes Measures: The dependent variable was the result of the Sahrmann lower abdominal core stability test. Results: Overall, the ICC score for the Sahrmann lower abdominal test was ICC33,1=0.649 (95% confidence interval =.257 to .832, P=.003). This ICC value reflects moderate reliability for the Sahrmann lower abdominal test. The standard error of the measurement (SEM) value that is reported is SEM=0.302, which would be described as low. Conclusions: Until further studies are conducted it is difficult to determine whether Sahrmann lower abdominal core test is a valid core stability test because there is no core stability gold standard. Determining a gold standard to measure core specifically may be difficult. There are multiple concepts and philosophies about core, stability, strength, endurance, and power. The Sahrmann core stability test has moderate reliability when used with Division II baseball athletes at one institution

Test–re-test reliability and inter-rater reliability of a digital pelvic inclinometer in young, healthy males and females

Objective.The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of a digital pelvic inclinometer (DPI) for measuring sagittal plane pelvic tilt in 18 young, healthy males and females.Method.The inter-rater reliability and test–re-test reliabilities of the DPI for measuring pelvic tilt in standing on both the right and left sides of the pelvis were measured by two raters carrying out two rating sessions of the same subjects, three weeks apart.Results.For measuring pelvic tilt, inter-rater reliability was designated as good on both sides (ICC = 0.81–0.88), test–re-test reliability within a single rating session was designated as good on both sides (ICC = 0.88–0.95), and test–re-test reliability between two rating sessions was designated as moderate on the left side (ICC = 0.65) and good on the right side (ICC = 0.85).Conclusion.Inter-rater reliability and test–re-test reliability within a single rating session of the DPI in measuring pelvic tilt were both good, while test–re-test reliability between rating sessions was moderate-to-good. Caution is required regarding the interpretation of the test–re-test reliability within a single rating session, as the raters were not blinded. Further research is required to establish validity