Clinical method to assess shoulder strength related to front crawl swimming power in male collegiate swimmers.

[Purpose] Although a correlation has been reported between shoulder strength and maximum swimming power during arm-only swimming, the correlation between shoulder strength and maximum swimming power during front crawl swimming remains unclear. This study aimed to confirm the validity of a clinical assessment method for shoulder strength related to front crawl swimming power. [Participants and Methods] Study participants included 9 healthy male collegiate swimmers. Shoulder strength, including extension and internal rotation torque and swimming power, were measured. [Results] Maximum swimming power was significantly correlated with extension torque in the position of maximum shoulder abduction on the dominant side (r=0.844). No significant correlations were observed between the swimming velocity-to-swimming power ratio and the rate of bilateral differences in extension torque in the position of maximum shoulder abduction. [Conclusion] The extensor strength in the position of maximum shoulder abduction was significantly correlated with the maximum swimming power, suggesting that this assessment method is useful for front crawl swimmers. Notably, measurements on the dominant side may provide useful data that are essential in training to improve front crawl swimming propulsion.

Inter-rater reliability and validity of angle measurements using smartphone applications for weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion measurements.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the inter-rater reliability, validity, and error of angle measurements for ankle dorsiflexion range of motion while in the weight-bearing position using a smartphone application. DESIGN: Reliability and validity study. SETTING: Measurement positions were performed by one experienced examiner. PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen volunteers participated in the study. Three examiners (examiner 1 and examiner 2 had completed the course to become qualified certified athletic trainers and examiner 3 did not belong to the course) performed smartphone application measurements. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was measured in the lunge position. Radiographic measurements were performed using a bony landmark. The markerless method for application measurements was used, using a body part as a landmark. RESULTS: Using the markerless method for application measurements, the intra-class correlation coefficients were 0.945. Using Pearson's correlation coefficient and intra-class correlation coefficients to compare the radiographic measurements and markerless method for application measurements, three examiners showed very high correlation (r > 0.9) and almost perfect (>0.81) intra-class correlation coefficient. Error values were less than 5° according to examiner 1 and examiner 2. CONCLUSION: Smartphone application measurements using the markerless method of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion exhibited inter-rater reliability and high validity.

Correlation between isometric shoulder strength and racket velocity during badminton forehand smash movements: study of valid clinical assessment methods.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to confirm the correlation between racket velocity during the forehand smash movements with shoulder extensor strength and internal rotator strength in the neutral and abducted positions. [Subjects and Methods] Fourteen collegiate badminton players participated in the study. Measurements were performed shoulder strength, using torque calculated from the upper extremity length and the isometric force, and racket velocity during the forehand smash movements. The shoulder extensor strength and internal rotator strength were measured in the neutral and abducted positions. [Results] The extension torque and internal rotation torque of the shoulder in the neutral position were not significantly correlated with racket velocity. Additionally, correlations between extension torque of the shoulder in the maximum abducted position and racket velocity were insignificant. However, the internal rotation torque of the shoulder in the abducted external rotated position was significantly correlated with racket velocity (r=0.652). [Conclusion] The shoulder internal rotator strength in the abducted external rotated position are suitable measurements for evaluating badminton players.

Relationship between isometric shoulder strength and arms-only swimming power among male collegiate swimmers: study of valid clinical assessment methods.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to confirm the relationships between shoulder strength (extensor strength and internal rotator strength) of the abducted position and swimming power during arm-only swimming. [Subjects and Methods] Fourteen healthy male collegiate swimmers participated in the study. Main measures were shoulder strength (strength using torque that was calculated from the upper extremity length and the isometric force of the abducted position) and swimming power. [Results] Internal rotation torque of the dominant side in the abducted external rotated position (r=0.85) was significantly correlated with maximum swimming power. The rate of bilateral difference in extension torque in the maximum abducted position (r=-0.728) was significantly correlated with the swimming velocity-to-swimming power ratio. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that internal rotator strength measurement in the abducted external rotated position and extensor strength measurement in the maximum abducted position are valid assessment methods for swimmers.

Reliability and validity of angle measurements using radiograph and smartphone applications: experimental research on protractor.

[Purpose] The present study aimed to demonstrate the following by using measurements for the definite angles provided by the digital protractor: inter-rater reliability and validity in radiograph measurements and smartphone application measurements. [Subjects and Methods] The subject angles were 26 angles between 15° and 180° that were selected randomly using a computer. Three examiners measured the angles using the radiograph and smartphone application. The radiograph was obtained at a position 250 cm from the chest shooting cassette holder. The smartphone photograph was obtained at positions 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 cm from the holder. [Results] Under all conditions, intra-class correlation coefficients showed 0.999. The correlation coefficient was 0.999 for all conditions. The mean absolute difference to the protractor was ≤0.28° for all conditions. [Conclusion] In comparison with the protractor, radiograph measurements and smartphone application measurements, the results of the present study showed high inter-rater reliability, validity, and small error. The results indicated that radiograph and smartphone application measurements could be used as criteria of validity in angle measurements. It supported the legitimacy of high-quality previous studies that used radiograph measurements as a criterion for validity.

Intra- and inter-rater reliability of isometric shoulder extensor and internal rotator strength measurements performed using a hand-held dynamometer.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to establish the intra- and inter-rater reliability of measurement of extensor strength in the maximum shoulder abducted position and internal rotator strength in the 90° abducted and the 90° external rotated position using a hand-held dynamometer. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve healthy volunteers (12 male; mean ± SD: age 19.0 ± 1.1 years) participated in the study. The examiners were two students who had nonclinical experience with a hand-held dynamometer measurement. The examiners and participants were blinded to measurement results by the recorder. Participants in the prone position were instructed to hold the contraction against the ground reaction force, and peak isometric force was recorded using the hand-held dynamometer on the floor. Reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients. [Results] The intra- and inter-rater reliability data were found to be "almost perfect". [Conclusion] This study investigated intra- and inter-rater reliability and reveald high reliability. Thus, the measurement method used in the present study can evaluate muscle strength by a simple measurement technique.

Same-session and between-day intra-rater reliability of hand-held dynamometer measurements of isometric shoulder extensor strength.

[Purpose] The purpose of present study was to establish the same-session and between-day intra-rater reliability of measurements of extensor strength in the maximum abducted position (MABP) using hand-held dynamometer (HHD). [Subjects] Thirteen healthy volunteers (10 male, 3 female; mean ± SD: age 19.8 ± 0.8 y) participated in the study. [Methods] Participants in the prone position with maximum abduction of shoulder were instructed to hold the contraction against the ground reaction force, and peak isometric force was recorded using the HHD on the floor. Participants performed maximum isometric contractions lasting 3 s, with 3 trials in one session. Between-day measurements were performed in 2 sessions separated by a 1-week interval. Intra-rater reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Systematic errors were assessed using Bland-Altman analysis for between-day data. [Results] ICC values for same-session data and between-day data were found to be "almost perfect". Systematic errors not existed and only random error existed. [Conclusion] The measurement method used in this study can easily control for experimental conditions and allow precise measurement because the lack of stabilization and the impact of tester strength are removed. Thus, extensor strength in MABP measurement is beneficial for muscle strength assessment.