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A comparison of make and break tests using a hand-held dynamometer and the Kin-Com
1School of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Health Sciences Centre, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Physical therapists can reliably measure muscle strength using hand-held dynamometers (HHD). Intrasession test-retest reliability varied between HHD make/break tests and Kin-Com assessments.
Area of Science:
- Physical Therapy
- Biomechanics
- Musculoskeletal Assessment
Background:
- Muscle strength assessment is crucial in physical therapy.
- Intrasession test-retest reliability of different strength testing methods needs evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the intrasession test-retest reliability of make and break tests.
- To compare isometric Kin-Com tests with hand-held dynamometer (HHD) assessments.
Main Methods:
- Elbow flexor strength was measured in 32 healthy females.
- Four conditions were tested: Kin-Com (make/break) and HHD (make/break).
- Two measurements per condition by the same rater.
Main Results:
- HHD measurements showed deviation from normal distribution.
- Kin-Com device yielded comparable reliability for make and break tests.
- HHD make tests had higher reliability than break tests.
- Break tests yielded higher force measurements than make tests.
Conclusions:
- Hand-held dynamometry is a cost-effective alternative for isometric strength measurement.
- Assessor strength must exceed the measured muscle group's strength for HHD accuracy.