Test-Retest Reliability of Cervical Strength Testing Protocols with Handheld Dynamometer in Prepubertal and Pubertal...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric physical therapy
• Biomechanics
• Sports medicine

Background:

• The cervical spine is crucial for daily activities in children and adolescents.
• Reliable assessment protocols for cervical spine strength are essential for this demographic.
• This study focuses on the test-retest reliability of specific cervical strength measurement techniques.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the test-retest reliability of cervical isometric strength protocols in prepubertal and pubertal boys.
• To assess both absolute and relative reliability using standard measurement error (SEM) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).
• To determine the reliability of the cervical flexion-to-extension ratio (cervical_F/E ratio).

Main Methods:

• Twenty prepubertal boys (mean age 9.10 years) and twenty pubertal boys (mean age 13.6 years) participated.
• Maximal isometric strength (flexion, extension, lateral flexion) was measured twice with a 48-hour interval using a handheld dynamometer.
• The cervical_F/E ratio was calculated from the flexion and extension strength measurements.

Main Results:

• Good absolute and relative reliability (ICC = 0.81-0.90) were found for prepubertal boys' cervical movements.
• Pubertal boys demonstrated high relative and absolute reliability (ICC = 0.90-0.96) across all movement directions.
• The cervical_F/E ratio showed moderate reliability in both groups (ICC = 0.71-0.78).

Conclusions:

• Isometric cervical muscle strength measurement using a handheld dynamometer is acceptably reliable in both prepubertal and pubertal boys.
• Prepubertal boys exhibited slightly lower reliability compared to pubertal boys.
• The cervical_F/E ratio assessment requires cautious interpretation, and further research is recommended.