The concurrent validity and intrarater reliability of a hand-held dynamometer for the assessment of neck strength in semi-professional rugby union players. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ashall, Adam; Dobbin, Nick; Thorpe, Cari
• Is Part Of: Physical therapy in sport. Volume 49(2021)
• Page Start: 229
• Page End: 235
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: Rugby -- Concussion playing position -- Physiotherapy -- Injury -- Rehabilitation; Sports physical therapy -- Periodicals; Sports injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- diagnosis -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- therapy -- Periodicals; Physical Therapy -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; 615.82088796
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.03.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-853X

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: The main objective of this study was to determine the concurrent validity between a hand-held (HHD) and mounted hand-held dynamometer (MHHD) for assessing isometric neck strength. Design: Observational design. Setting: Semiprofessional rugby club. Participants: Nineteen semi-professional rugby players (age = 26 ± 5 years, stature = 186.5 ± 6.5 cm, body mass = 98.7 ± 12.8 kg). Main outcome measures: Concurrent validity (limits of agreement, correlation) between HHD and MHHD, the intrarater reliability (intra-class correlation, ICC) and comparison between playing positions. Results: Absolute peak and mean peak force were systematically lower when using the HHD compared to MHHD, with the mean bias ranging from −1.8 to −3.8 kgf ( P < 0.05). Differences were not evident for flexion when applying the correction equations (−0.5 to 2.1 kgf, P > 0.05) but remained for extension. Correlations between methods were large-to-very large; the ICCs for both methods were good (ICC = 0.72–0.89), with no difference between positions ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: The concurrent validity of HHD was considered acceptable when compared to the MHHD and the correction equation applied. Both methods are reliable and useful for assessing neck strength in rugby players, though, caution is needed when determining strength during neck extension. Highlights: Neck strength measured using HHD and corrected using the regression equations is a valid measure against a MHHD. Caution is needed when measuring neck strength in extension and a MHHD should be used. Both methods are reliable when measuring neck strength in flexion, side-flexion and extension. There was no difference between semi-professional forwards and backs.