Reliability of a Test for Assessment of Isometric Trunk Muscle Strength in Elderly Women

Marceli M A Mesquita,Alan B S Vasconcelos,Ínea B M Da Silva-Santos,Dihogo G De Matos,Felipe J Aidar,Clodoaldo A De Sá,Marzo E Da Silva-Grigoletto,Alan Dos S Fontes,Luana C D Pereira,Walderi M Da Silva Junior,Marta S Santos,Josimari M Desantana,Paulo M P Oliveira,Iohanna G S Fernandes

doi:10.1155/2019/9061839

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the reproducibility of a protocol using the maximal isometric strength test of the trunk in elderly women aged above 60 years, without low back pain. Methods Twenty-one physically inactive elderly women, who had not engaged in any activity or exercise program in the past three months, participated in the cross-sectional study that consisted of two days of evaluations for the maximal isometric strength of the extensor and flexor muscles of the trunk, with a 48 h interval between the sessions. A platform with fixed seating was used, which allowed the fixation of the hip and lower limbs, with a load cell connected to a linear encoder. To verify the reliability of the test, the interclass correlation coefficient, variation coefficient, minimum detectable difference (MDD), standard error of measurement, and Bland–Altman graphs were calculated. Results No statistical difference was observed between the first and second evaluation, which indicates that there was no learning effect. Interclass correlation coefficient values were classified as very high and high for extensor (0.98) and flexor (0.86) muscles, respectively, besides low variation (9% for both muscle groups) and acceptable values for minimum detectable difference (extensors = 51.1 N, flexors = 48.9 N). In addition, the Bland–Altman analysis revealed low bias and values within the limits of agreement. Conclusion It is concluded that the test of maximum isometric strength of the trunk in healthy and trained elderly people presents high reliability. These values proved to be reliable if performed in at least two evaluation sessions, which confirms the hypothesis of the authors by the consistency of the measurement test.

Highlights

Decreased muscle strength due to age is a determinant factor for the physical function in the elderly, which can lead to reduced functionality and performance and disability during daily life activities [1]
Previous studies investigating the relationship between the muscle strength and functional capacity in the elderly have focused on the peripheral musculature
Loss of functional capacity is associated with multiple factors; sarcopenia, characterized as the loss of muscle mass with consequent general functional decline leading to weakness, is the main contributor to this decline [5, 6]

Summary

Research Article

Reliability of a Test for Assessment of Isometric Trunk Muscle Strength in Elderly Women. E aim of this study was to analyze the reproducibility of a protocol using the maximal isometric strength test of the trunk in elderly women aged above 60 years, without low back pain. Twenty-one physically inactive elderly women, who had not engaged in any activity or exercise program in the past three months, participated in the cross-sectional study that consisted of two days of evaluations for the maximal isometric strength of the extensor and flexor muscles of the trunk, with a 48 h interval between the sessions. To verify the reliability of the test, the interclass correlation coefficient, variation coefficient, minimum detectable difference (MDD), standard error of measurement, and Bland–Altman graphs were calculated. It is concluded that the test of maximum isometric strength of the trunk in healthy and trained elderly people presents high reliability. ese values proved to be reliable if performed in at least two evaluation sessions, which confirms the hypothesis of the authors by the consistency of the measurement test

Introduction

Methods

Extensors Flexors