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Isokinetic strength testing in patients with chronic heart failure--a reliability study
M Quittan1, G F Wiesinger, R Crevenna
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ludwig Boltzmann Institut für Herz-Kreislaufforschung, Vienna, Austria. michael.quittan@univie.ac.at
International Journal of Sports Medicine
|March 22, 2001
Summary
Isokinetic strength testing reliably measures knee muscle strength in chronic heart failure patients. This method is valuable for assessing muscle strength, even with modified trunk fixation during testing.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Neuromuscular Physiology
Background:
- Skeletal muscle strength is a crucial outcome measure in chronic heart failure (CHF).
- Reliable strength assessment is vital for effective patient management and rehabilitation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the short-term reliability of isokinetic strength measurements for knee extensor and flexor muscles in CHF patients.
- To evaluate the consistency of strength testing using a specific dynamometer with modified trunk fixation.
Main Methods:
- 38 CHF patients underwent isokinetic strength testing (Cybex 6000) at 60°/sec for knee extensors/flexors.
- Testing involved two sessions on day 1 and one on day 5, with pelvic fixation.
- Isometric peak torque was measured at 30° knee flexion.
Main Results:
- High intraclass correlations (0.96-0.99 for extensors, 0.82-0.96 for flexors) indicate excellent reliability.
- Pearson's correlation coefficients were also high (0.95-0.99 for extensors, 0.81-0.85 for flexors).
- Minor significant differences were noted in flexor isokinetic and all isometric measurements.
Conclusions:
- Isokinetic dynamometry provides a reliable method for assessing knee muscle strength in CHF patients.
- The findings support the use of this technique even with altered trunk fixation, enhancing its clinical applicability.