Excellent Reliability for an Instrumented Test of Ankle Plantarflexion Force
# Background/Purpose The assessment of ankle plantarflexion force is commonly required in athletic performance and clinical rehabilitation settings to assess the integrity of the calf and lower limb musculature. The force generating capacity of the soleus muscle is thought to be important in many a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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North American Sports Medicine Institute
2025-02-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.128591 |
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| _version_ | 1832542656044990464 |
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| author | Moez Glaied Rodney Whiteley |
| author_facet | Moez Glaied Rodney Whiteley |
| author_sort | Moez Glaied |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | # Background/Purpose
The assessment of ankle plantarflexion force is commonly required in athletic performance and clinical rehabilitation settings to assess the integrity of the calf and lower limb musculature. The force generating capacity of the soleus muscle is thought to be important in many aspects of sporting and everyday function. Unfortunately, there are only a few reliable tests describing the assessment of the strength of the soleus muscle, especially in dorsiflexion greater than plantar grade/neutral which mimics ankle joint positions associated with higher ground contact forces. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to describe the reliability, feasibility, and clinimetrics of a novel test of plantarflexion force in a clinical setting
# Methods
Test-retest reliability of a seated isometric plantar flexion strength test performed a minimum of one day apart (maximum of six) using the maximum value of four trials was investigated using a force plate and custom apparatus in 61 volunteer adults (of varying activity levels (Tegner one to ten). Inter-rater reliability (ICC~2,1~), Bland-Altman, and minimal detectable change values were estimated.
# Results
Sixty-one subjects were tested (49 male, 12 female, 39.6±12.6 years, 81.1±13.8kg). Excellent test-retest reliability was demonstrated (ICC~2,1~)=0.976 \[0.97 to 0.98\], p\<0.001; and minimal detectable change (MDC) was found to be 118N.
# Conclusion
Excellent test-retest reliability and a minimal detectable change of 118N (14.8% bodyweight) were demonstrated for this measure of plantar flexion force. MDC data can inform clinical progression and between-limb differences in healthy and injured individuals. Further, these results can be used to explore the clinical importance of the measurement using the instrumentation.
# Level of Evidence
3b |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6bb2e1bc12364846b0bee28d1f6fe0d1 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2159-2896 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | North American Sports Medicine Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-6bb2e1bc12364846b0bee28d1f6fe0d12025-02-03T19:10:32ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962025-02-01202Excellent Reliability for an Instrumented Test of Ankle Plantarflexion ForceMoez GlaiedRodney Whiteley# Background/Purpose The assessment of ankle plantarflexion force is commonly required in athletic performance and clinical rehabilitation settings to assess the integrity of the calf and lower limb musculature. The force generating capacity of the soleus muscle is thought to be important in many aspects of sporting and everyday function. Unfortunately, there are only a few reliable tests describing the assessment of the strength of the soleus muscle, especially in dorsiflexion greater than plantar grade/neutral which mimics ankle joint positions associated with higher ground contact forces. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to describe the reliability, feasibility, and clinimetrics of a novel test of plantarflexion force in a clinical setting # Methods Test-retest reliability of a seated isometric plantar flexion strength test performed a minimum of one day apart (maximum of six) using the maximum value of four trials was investigated using a force plate and custom apparatus in 61 volunteer adults (of varying activity levels (Tegner one to ten). Inter-rater reliability (ICC~2,1~), Bland-Altman, and minimal detectable change values were estimated. # Results Sixty-one subjects were tested (49 male, 12 female, 39.6±12.6 years, 81.1±13.8kg). Excellent test-retest reliability was demonstrated (ICC~2,1~)=0.976 \[0.97 to 0.98\], p\<0.001; and minimal detectable change (MDC) was found to be 118N. # Conclusion Excellent test-retest reliability and a minimal detectable change of 118N (14.8% bodyweight) were demonstrated for this measure of plantar flexion force. MDC data can inform clinical progression and between-limb differences in healthy and injured individuals. Further, these results can be used to explore the clinical importance of the measurement using the instrumentation. # Level of Evidence 3bhttps://doi.org/10.26603/001c.128591 |
| spellingShingle | Moez Glaied Rodney Whiteley Excellent Reliability for an Instrumented Test of Ankle Plantarflexion Force International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| title | Excellent Reliability for an Instrumented Test of Ankle Plantarflexion Force |
| title_full | Excellent Reliability for an Instrumented Test of Ankle Plantarflexion Force |
| title_fullStr | Excellent Reliability for an Instrumented Test of Ankle Plantarflexion Force |
| title_full_unstemmed | Excellent Reliability for an Instrumented Test of Ankle Plantarflexion Force |
| title_short | Excellent Reliability for an Instrumented Test of Ankle Plantarflexion Force |
| title_sort | excellent reliability for an instrumented test of ankle plantarflexion force |
| url | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.128591 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT moezglaied excellentreliabilityforaninstrumentedtestofankleplantarflexionforce AT rodneywhiteley excellentreliabilityforaninstrumentedtestofankleplantarflexionforce |