Accuracy of Two Methods in Estimating Target Muscle Force During Shoulder Submaximal Isometric Contractions

# Background Submaximal isometric exercises are used for pain control and neuromuscular facilitation. Typically, an ipsilateral maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) is used as a reference; however, when this is not clinically feasible, an alternative must be considered. Two options are (1...

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Main Authors: Sean F. Griech, Christos Karagiannopoulos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: North American Sports Medicine Institute 2025-01-01
Series:International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.127141
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author Sean F. Griech
Christos Karagiannopoulos
author_facet Sean F. Griech
Christos Karagiannopoulos
author_sort Sean F. Griech
collection DOAJ
description # Background Submaximal isometric exercises are used for pain control and neuromuscular facilitation. Typically, an ipsilateral maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) is used as a reference; however, when this is not clinically feasible, an alternative must be considered. Two options are (1) the no reference (NR) method (submaximal contraction at a self-perceived effort level without reference) and (2) the reciprocal reference (RR) method (MVIC on the contralateral side serves as a reference for a submaximal effort-level on the ipsilateral side). No research evidence exists as to which alternative method is more accurate at the shoulder. # Purpose To determine the accuracy of the NR and RR methods in estimating target muscle force during shoulder ER and IR submaximal isometric contractions among healthy adults. # Study Design Observational cross-sectional # Methods Isometric shoulder force was measured via a hand-held dynamometer on 48 healthy participants (36 females and 12 males) mean age of 27.4 ±1.6 years. Both methods (NR and RR), direction of force (IR and ER), and starting test-side (right or left) were randomized. RR testing involved a contralateral MVIC (reference) prior to a 50% submaximal contraction. NR testing entailed a 50% submaximal contraction with no prior reference MVIC. # Results Actual submaximal efforts were compared to MVIC-based estimated submaximal efforts. Significant moderate - good correlations existed for both the RR (r = 0.691) and NR (r = 0.620) methods, regardless of test-side or shoulder motion. Significant moderate - good correlations were found between both methods for both ER \[RR (r = 0.717) and NR (r = 0.614)\] and IR \[RR (r = 0.669) and NR (r = 0.628)\]. # Conclusion Both methods had moderate - good accuracy levels and were not influenced by the test side or direction of force. Either method (RR or NR) can be equally useful for shoulder isometric exercise prescription when an ipsilateral reference cannot be determined. # Level of Evidence 3
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spelling doaj-art-085e38b2286d43d4be33ded44f71eb5e2025-02-11T20:26:57ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962025-01-01201Accuracy of Two Methods in Estimating Target Muscle Force During Shoulder Submaximal Isometric ContractionsSean F. GriechChristos Karagiannopoulos# Background Submaximal isometric exercises are used for pain control and neuromuscular facilitation. Typically, an ipsilateral maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) is used as a reference; however, when this is not clinically feasible, an alternative must be considered. Two options are (1) the no reference (NR) method (submaximal contraction at a self-perceived effort level without reference) and (2) the reciprocal reference (RR) method (MVIC on the contralateral side serves as a reference for a submaximal effort-level on the ipsilateral side). No research evidence exists as to which alternative method is more accurate at the shoulder. # Purpose To determine the accuracy of the NR and RR methods in estimating target muscle force during shoulder ER and IR submaximal isometric contractions among healthy adults. # Study Design Observational cross-sectional # Methods Isometric shoulder force was measured via a hand-held dynamometer on 48 healthy participants (36 females and 12 males) mean age of 27.4 ±1.6 years. Both methods (NR and RR), direction of force (IR and ER), and starting test-side (right or left) were randomized. RR testing involved a contralateral MVIC (reference) prior to a 50% submaximal contraction. NR testing entailed a 50% submaximal contraction with no prior reference MVIC. # Results Actual submaximal efforts were compared to MVIC-based estimated submaximal efforts. Significant moderate - good correlations existed for both the RR (r = 0.691) and NR (r = 0.620) methods, regardless of test-side or shoulder motion. Significant moderate - good correlations were found between both methods for both ER \[RR (r = 0.717) and NR (r = 0.614)\] and IR \[RR (r = 0.669) and NR (r = 0.628)\]. # Conclusion Both methods had moderate - good accuracy levels and were not influenced by the test side or direction of force. Either method (RR or NR) can be equally useful for shoulder isometric exercise prescription when an ipsilateral reference cannot be determined. # Level of Evidence 3https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.127141
spellingShingle Sean F. Griech
Christos Karagiannopoulos
Accuracy of Two Methods in Estimating Target Muscle Force During Shoulder Submaximal Isometric Contractions
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
title Accuracy of Two Methods in Estimating Target Muscle Force During Shoulder Submaximal Isometric Contractions
title_full Accuracy of Two Methods in Estimating Target Muscle Force During Shoulder Submaximal Isometric Contractions
title_fullStr Accuracy of Two Methods in Estimating Target Muscle Force During Shoulder Submaximal Isometric Contractions
title_full_unstemmed Accuracy of Two Methods in Estimating Target Muscle Force During Shoulder Submaximal Isometric Contractions
title_short Accuracy of Two Methods in Estimating Target Muscle Force During Shoulder Submaximal Isometric Contractions
title_sort accuracy of two methods in estimating target muscle force during shoulder submaximal isometric contractions
url https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.127141
work_keys_str_mv AT seanfgriech accuracyoftwomethodsinestimatingtargetmuscleforceduringshouldersubmaximalisometriccontractions
AT christoskaragiannopoulos accuracyoftwomethodsinestimatingtargetmuscleforceduringshouldersubmaximalisometriccontractions