Search

The present study was conducted to assess test-retest reproducibility of explosive strength measurements during single-joint isometric knee extension using the IsoMed 2000 dynamometer. Thirty-one physically active male subjects (mean age: 23.7 years) were measured on two occasions separated by 48–72 h. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 2,1) and the coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated for (i) maximum torque (MVC), (ii) the peak rate of torque development (RTDpeak) as well as for (iii) the average rate of torque development (RTD) and the impulse taken at several predefined time intervals (0–30 to 0–300 ms); thereby explosive strength variables were derived in two conceptually different versions: on the one hand from the MVC-trial (version I), on the other hand from the trial showing the RTDpeak (version II). High ICC-values (0.80–0.99) and acceptable CV-values (1.9–8.7%) could be found for MVC as well as for the RTD and the impulse taken at time intervals of ≥100 ms, regardless of whether version I or II was used. In contrast, measurements of the RTDpeak as well as the RTD and the impulse taken during the very early contraction phase (i.e. RTD/impulse0–30ms and RTD/impulse0–50ms) showed clearly weaker reproducibility results (ICC: 0.53–0.84; CV: 7.3–16.4%) and gave rise to considerable doubts as to clinical usefulness, especially when derived using version I. However, if there is a need to measure explosive strength for earlier time intervals in practice, it is, in view of stronger reproducibility results, recommended to concentrate on measures derived from version II, which is based on the RTDpeak-trial.

This study investigated the effect of a 12-week recreational skiing intervention on lower limb muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in participants with unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Twenty-seven older adults (70 ± 5 years) were assigned to the intervention (n = 13) or control group (n = 14) after surgery (2.5 ± 1 years). Leg muscle strength was measured using an IsoMed 2000 dynamometer and cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by cycle ergometry before and after the intervention as well as after an 8-week retention period. The skiing intervention led to increased muscle strength in the operated leg during unilateral single joint isometric extension (maximal force: 11%; P

Burn depth and burn size are crucial determinants for assessing patients suffering from burns. Therefore, a correct evaluation of these factors is optimal for adapting the appropriate treatment in modern burn care. Burn surface assessment is subject to considerable differences among clinicians. This work investigated the accuracy among experts based on conventional surface estimation methods (e.g. "Rule of Palm", "Rule of Nines" or "Lund-Browder Chart"). The estimation results were compared to a computer-based evaluation method. Survey data was collected during one national and one international burn conference. The poll confirmed deviations of burn depth/size estimates of up to 62% in relation to the mean value of all participants. In comparison to the computer-based method, overestimation of up to 161% was found. We suggest introducing improved methods for burn depth/size assessment in clinical routine in order to efficiently allocate and distribute the available resources for practicing burn care.

Hintergrund: Isokinetische Gerate nehmen im Bereich der Kraftdiagnostik einen hohen Stellenwert ein. Das breite Angebot entsprechender Produkte am Markt wurde in den letzten Jahren um das IsoMed 2000 erweitert. Bevor ein Gerat in der Diagnostik Verwendung finden kann, mussen Informationen uber die Reliabilitat fur spezifische Anwendungen vorliegen. Wahrend es fur das IsoMed 2000 diesbez. bereits einzelne Studien hinsichtlich der Maximalkraft gibt, fehlen diese bislang ganzlich fur den Bereich der Kraftausdauer. Das Ziel dieser Studie bestand darin, die Reliabilitat mehrerer Methoden der Quantifizierung der Kraftausdauer am IsoMed 2000 zu untersuchen. Methode: Eine Stichprobe von 33 sportlich aktiven gesunden Probanden (Alter: 23,8 ± 2,6 J.) partizipierte an einem Gewohnungs- und zwei Testterminen, mit 3–4 Tagen Abstand zwischen den Terminen. Der Test umfasste eine Serie von 30 maximal durchgefuhrten konzentrischen Beuge- und Streckbewegungen des rechten Knies bei einer Winkelgeschwindigkeit von 180 °/s. Ausgehend von den Parametern maximales Drehmoment und Arbeit fur jede Einzelwiederholung wurden Indizes der absoluten (KADabs) und relativen (KADrel) Kraftausdauer abgeleitet. Die KADabs wurde anhand des Mittelwerts uber alle Testwiederholungen, die KADrel auf zwei Arten berechnet: zum einen als prozentueller Abfall zwischen den ersten und letzten 5 Wiederholungen (KADrelA), zum anderen als negative Steigung der linearen Regressionsgleichung uber alle Wiederholungen (KADrelB). Systematische Fehler wurden anhand gepaarter t-Tests gepruft, die relative und absolute Reliabilitat anhand des Intraklassenkorrelationskoeffizienten (ICC 2.1) bzw. des Standardmessfehlers (SEM%). Ergebnisse / Schlussfolgerung: Zusammenfassend wurden fur die Extension sowohl hinsichtlich der Messung der KADabs als auch – in etwas abgeschwachter Form – fur die KADrel durchweg hohe ICCWerte von 0,76–0,89 verbunden mit akzeptablen SEM%-Werten von 1,2–5,9 % gefunden. Fur die Flexion gilt dies lediglich fur die KADabs, wahrend die Ergebnisse fur die KADrel mit ICC- und SEM%-Werten von 0,42–0,62 bzw. 9,6–17,7 % deutlich schlechter ausfielen und Zweifel an der klinischen Verwertbarkeit aufwerfen. Sollte die KADrel fur die Flexion dennoch erhoben werden, so empfiehlt es sich – angesichts der jeweils etwas hoheren Reliabilitat – (i) die KADrelB und (ii) den Parameter Arbeit heranzuziehen sowie – angesichts der festgestellten betrachtlichen Lernund Gewohnungseffekte von ≈10 % – (iii) eine Gewohnungsphase durchzufuhren, die uber den in dieser Studie praktizierten Gewohnungstermin hinausgeht.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the relative and absolute reproducibility of the IsoMed 2000-dynamometer in measuring Peak Torque (PT) during maximum isometric and isokinetic (60 and 120°/s) knee flexion and extension. Thirty four physically active male subjects (mean age: 23.2 years) were measured in three sessions (T1―T3), 48-72 h apart. Repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni post hoc adjustments revealed significant systematic errors for isokinetic flexion measurements with mean values on the second and third visit being around 3-5% higher than the corresponding values obtained in the first visit. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 2,1) of 0.90-0.98 and 0.94-0.98 combined with values of standard error of measurement (SEM) of 5.5―9.1 and 4.0-9.0 Nm were found for T1―T2 and T2-T3, respectively. Based on the systematic errors found for flexor measurements and a clear improvement in reproducibility parameters from T1―T2 to T2―T3 for nearly all measurements, we recommend the use of a familiarisation session prior to actual testing.

ThepurposeofthisstudywastodeterminerelativeaswellasabsolutereproducibilityfortheIsoMed2000-dynamometer in measuring Peak Torque (PT) during concentric and eccentric maximum knee extension at two angular velocities. Thirty five physically active male subjects (mean age: 23.7 years) with no prior experience of isokinetic exercise were measured on three occasions (T1-T3), separated by 48-72 h. Detection of systematic errors was performed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Bonferroni post hoc adjustments. Further statistical calculations were done between consecutive pairs of sessions (T1-T2; T2-T3). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC 2,1) were calculated to assess relative reproducibility, whereas absolute reproducibility was determined by the standard error of measurement (SEM). A highly significant systematic error was found for theeccentric measurements withvalues on thefirst visit being around 5% lower than corresponding values on thesecond and third visit. ICCvalues of 0.907-0.955 and 0.968-0.984 withcorresponding values of SEMof 7.4-19.1 and 4.5-10.9 Nmwere found for T1-T2 and T2-T3, respectively. In conclusion, high reproducibility was shown for the IsoMed 2000-dynamometer in measuring PT during concentric and eccentric knee extension. However, due to a systematic practice-based improvement found for eccentric measurements, we suggest to do a familiarisation session prior the actual testing sessions in practice.