CAN INTER-LIMB ASYMMETRIES IN MUSCLE STRENGTH BE RELIABLY ASSESSED? A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY AND THE EFFECT OF TESTING POSITION ON GRIP STRENGTH MEASUREMENTS

Milica Vidović, Miha Pešič, Nenad Nedović, Stevan Jovanović, Danilo Vujičić, Žiga Kozinc

DOI Number
https://doi.org/10.22190/FUPES241107013V
First page
135
Last page
144

Abstract


This preliminary study investigates the test-retest reliability of assessing inter-limb asymmetries using grip strength measurements and examines the effect of testing positions (sitting vs. standing) on these assessments. The study involved ten healthy adults who participated in two testing sessions, where grip strength was measured using a Jamar dynamometer in both sitting and standing positions. The reliability of these measurements was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and other statistical measures, such as the typical error (TE) and coefficient of variation (CV). The results demonstrated good to excellent reliability for grip strength measurements in both sitting and standing positions, with ICC values ranging from 0.96 to 0.98. However, the reliability of asymmetry assessments showed greater variability, particularly in the sitting position, where the ICC for asymmetry was lower (0.82) compared to the standing position (0.91). The observed differences in reliability suggest that factors such as body posture, joint angles, and hand-grip positioning might significantly influence the outcomes of inter-limb asymmetry assessments. Moreover, the study found that asymmetry measurements varied between sessions, particularly in the sitting position, indicating potential learning effects or motivational differences. These findings underscore the importance of standardized testing protocols and suggest that a single testing procedure may not be sufficient to reliably assess inter-limb asymmetries. Further research with larger sample sizes and more controlled conditions is recommended to validate these preliminary findings and to explore the influence of different testing positions on the reliability of asymmetry assessments.


Keywords

Inter-limb asymmetry, grip strength, test-retest reliability, testing position, handgrip dynamometer

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22190/FUPES241107013V

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