Same-session Intra-rater Reliability of Isometric Shoulder Extensor Strength Measurements Using a Hand-held Dynamometer Performed by Blinded and Inexperienced Examiners

Abstract

[Purpose] To investigate the same-session intra-rater reliability of blinded and inexperienced examiners measuring extension strength with a hand-held dynamometer at maximal shoulder abduction. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 14 healthy male university students, and the examiners were two university students with no experience of muscle strength measurement. Measurements were performed with subjects for the prone position, the shoulder maximal abduction position the elbow extension position, and the forearm neutral position. [Results] Both examiners had ICC_1,3 of 0.9 (almost perfect) for the dominant and non-dominant sides. [Conclusion] This method is unaffected by experience or examiner, making it a simple and highly reliable method.