Reliability of knee flexor peak torque measurements from a standardized test protocol on a Kin/Com dynamometer

Abstract

Abstract The test-retest reliability of a specific test protocol for the measurement of peak torque of the knee flexors using a Kin/Com dynamometer was evaluated. The maximum voluntary torque generated by the left knee flexors during constant velocity resisted-muscle shortening (RMS) and muscle lengthening (RML) was measured in a sitting position in 11 healthy women with no history of knee pathology. Each subject performed two tests at each of two velocities (30°/sec and 180°/sec) in a single session. All subjects repeated these four tests one week later. A test consisted of four complete RMSRML cycles through a range of 65°. The peak torque generated from each test was used to measure test-retest reliability. All data were gravity compensated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs [1,1]) were calculated from ANOVA tests for RML and RMS at both velocities. The within sessions ICCs ranged from .94 to .98 for 30°/sec and from .92 to .97 at 180°/sec. The ICCs between sessions were generally lower and ranged from .79 to .90 for 30°/sec, and from .75 to .88 for 180°/sec. It is concluded that using these test protocols, peak torques for both RMS and RML can be measured with a high degree of reliability at two commonly used velocities.