Reliability of the Heart Rate Variability Registered Through Polar Cardio Frequency Meter in Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the intra- and inter-examiner reliability of the analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) captured by a Polar cardio frequency meter in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Methods: The study included 35 individuals with nonspecific low back pain, both sexes, aged 18 to 45. We used a Polar V800 cardio frequency meter to capture HRV in individuals in different positions, and we calculated the reliability through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Regarding intra-examiner reliability, we found excellent reliability of HRV analysis in the supine position (ICC ranging from 0.89 to 1.00) and in the standing position (ICC ranging from 0.95 to 0.99). In addition, for inter-examiner reliability, we found substantial to excellent reliability of the HRV analysis in the supine position (ICC ranging from 0.76 to 0.98) and moderate to excellent reliability in the standing position (ICC ranging from 0.73 to 0.99). Conclusion: The HRV analysis captured by a Polar cardio frequency meter presented adequate reliability when considering different times and different examiners.

Seated Single-Arm Shot-Put Test to Measure the Functional Performance of the Upper Limbs in Exercise Practitioners With Chronic Shoulder Pain: A Reliability Study.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the intra- and interrater reliability of the seated single-arm shot-put test (SSPT) in the functional performance of the upper limbs of regular physical exercise practitioners with shoulder pain. METHODS: This is a reliability study. Thirty individuals regularly practicing any sports modality that uses the upper limb effectively for at least 6 months, both sexes, ages between 18 and 30 years, with chronic shoulder pain were included. Chronic shoulder pain was measured by means of the shoulder pain and disability index, numerical rating scale, and catastrophic thoughts about pain scale. Functional performance of the upper limbs was measured by means of SSPT. RESULTS: Excellent intrarater reliability was found, with intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.93, standard error of the measurement values ≤4.63%, and minimum detectable change values for absolute and normalized score of 45.11 cm and 9.97, respectively. Excellent interrater reliability was found, with intraclass correlation coefficient ≥0.96, standard error of the measurement values ≤3.55%, and minimum detectable change values for absolute and normalized score of 32.29 cm and 7.70, respectively. CONCLUSION: SSPT is a reliable tool for measuring the functional performance of the upper limbs in regular exercise practitioners with chronic shoulder pain.