The Validity of a Portable Strain-Gauge Apparatus Versus a Commercial Isokinetic Dynamometer for Evaluating Knee Extension Kinetics
# Background Isokinetic dynamometers are widely used when assessing neuromuscular function including knee extension kinetics. However, these dynamometers are often prohibitively expensive and are not portable. Thus strain-gauge technology has grown in popularity. # Purpose The purpose of this stu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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North American Sports Medicine Institute
2024-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.92742 |
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| author | Dustin Oranchuk Chris Juneau Shelley Diewald Jono Neville John Cronin |
| author_facet | Dustin Oranchuk Chris Juneau Shelley Diewald Jono Neville John Cronin |
| author_sort | Dustin Oranchuk |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | # Background
Isokinetic dynamometers are widely used when assessing neuromuscular function including knee extension kinetics. However, these dynamometers are often prohibitively expensive and are not portable. Thus strain-gauge technology has grown in popularity.
# Purpose
The purpose of this study was to compare kinetic data captured via an isokinetic dynamometer against an affordable and portable strain-gauge with a treatment plinth during maximal isometric knee extensions.
# Study Design
Cross-sectional study.
# Methods
Healthy participants (8 males and 6 females; age 30.2±7.1 years) volunteered and performed knee extensions at a 90° knee angle on a dynamometer and a treatment plinth with a portable strain-gauge. Peak force (PF), peak rate of force development (PRFD), rate of force development (RFD~2080~) and impulse (IMP~2080~) from 20-80% of onset to peak force were assessed using both strain-gauge and isokinetic dynamometer. Between-device differences were evaluated by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Cohen's *d* effect sizes (ES), Pearson's correlation coefficients (*r*), and Bland-Altman plots.
# Results
No significant or meaningful differences were identified between isokinetic and strain-gauge devices (all *p*≥0.268, ES≤0.35). However, slightly greater (2.5-9.5%) outputs were observed with the isokinetic dynamometer. Very large significant between-device correlations were found for PF (*r*=0.77, *p*=0.001) and PRFD (*r*=0.73, *p*=0.003), while small and moderate non-significant between-device correlations were found for RFD~2080~ (*r*=0.48, *p*=0.079) and IMP~2080~ (*r*=0.59, *p*=0.060). Bland-Altman plots did not reveal apparent biases from high to low performers.
# Conclusions
These results indicate that the strain-gauge device can produce valid maximal and rapid force expression measurements. Similar results, such as those quantified via an isokinetic device, can be obtained without extreme rigour and constraint. The study's findings support using the practically relevant treatment plinth and strain-gauge combination as a suitable alternative to the isokinetic dynamometry for measuring PF and PRFD. Therefore, more rehabilitation and sports performance practitioners can confidently assess knee extension kinetics.
# Level of Evidence
3 |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5a23ff3ac1a44c7586f46974a75af0c3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2159-2896 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | North American Sports Medicine Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-5a23ff3ac1a44c7586f46974a75af0c32025-02-11T20:29:43ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962024-03-01193The Validity of a Portable Strain-Gauge Apparatus Versus a Commercial Isokinetic Dynamometer for Evaluating Knee Extension KineticsDustin OranchukChris JuneauShelley DiewaldJono NevilleJohn Cronin# Background Isokinetic dynamometers are widely used when assessing neuromuscular function including knee extension kinetics. However, these dynamometers are often prohibitively expensive and are not portable. Thus strain-gauge technology has grown in popularity. # Purpose The purpose of this study was to compare kinetic data captured via an isokinetic dynamometer against an affordable and portable strain-gauge with a treatment plinth during maximal isometric knee extensions. # Study Design Cross-sectional study. # Methods Healthy participants (8 males and 6 females; age 30.2±7.1 years) volunteered and performed knee extensions at a 90° knee angle on a dynamometer and a treatment plinth with a portable strain-gauge. Peak force (PF), peak rate of force development (PRFD), rate of force development (RFD~2080~) and impulse (IMP~2080~) from 20-80% of onset to peak force were assessed using both strain-gauge and isokinetic dynamometer. Between-device differences were evaluated by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Cohen's *d* effect sizes (ES), Pearson's correlation coefficients (*r*), and Bland-Altman plots. # Results No significant or meaningful differences were identified between isokinetic and strain-gauge devices (all *p*≥0.268, ES≤0.35). However, slightly greater (2.5-9.5%) outputs were observed with the isokinetic dynamometer. Very large significant between-device correlations were found for PF (*r*=0.77, *p*=0.001) and PRFD (*r*=0.73, *p*=0.003), while small and moderate non-significant between-device correlations were found for RFD~2080~ (*r*=0.48, *p*=0.079) and IMP~2080~ (*r*=0.59, *p*=0.060). Bland-Altman plots did not reveal apparent biases from high to low performers. # Conclusions These results indicate that the strain-gauge device can produce valid maximal and rapid force expression measurements. Similar results, such as those quantified via an isokinetic device, can be obtained without extreme rigour and constraint. The study's findings support using the practically relevant treatment plinth and strain-gauge combination as a suitable alternative to the isokinetic dynamometry for measuring PF and PRFD. Therefore, more rehabilitation and sports performance practitioners can confidently assess knee extension kinetics. # Level of Evidence 3https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.92742 |
| spellingShingle | Dustin Oranchuk Chris Juneau Shelley Diewald Jono Neville John Cronin The Validity of a Portable Strain-Gauge Apparatus Versus a Commercial Isokinetic Dynamometer for Evaluating Knee Extension Kinetics International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| title | The Validity of a Portable Strain-Gauge Apparatus Versus a Commercial Isokinetic Dynamometer for Evaluating Knee Extension Kinetics |
| title_full | The Validity of a Portable Strain-Gauge Apparatus Versus a Commercial Isokinetic Dynamometer for Evaluating Knee Extension Kinetics |
| title_fullStr | The Validity of a Portable Strain-Gauge Apparatus Versus a Commercial Isokinetic Dynamometer for Evaluating Knee Extension Kinetics |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Validity of a Portable Strain-Gauge Apparatus Versus a Commercial Isokinetic Dynamometer for Evaluating Knee Extension Kinetics |
| title_short | The Validity of a Portable Strain-Gauge Apparatus Versus a Commercial Isokinetic Dynamometer for Evaluating Knee Extension Kinetics |
| title_sort | validity of a portable strain gauge apparatus versus a commercial isokinetic dynamometer for evaluating knee extension kinetics |
| url | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.92742 |
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