Protocol refinement and inter- and intra-rater reliability assessment of ultrasound-based measurements of hamstring architecture, and echo intensity, and intra-rater reliability of shear wave elastography

Objectives: The increase in hamstring injuries highlights gaps in current understanding and prevention strategies. Hamstring architecture, quality, and mechanical properties influence force production, offering key insights into muscle health and function. This study aims to refine a standardized pr...

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Main Authors: Maria Belinda Cristina C. Fidel, Jan Tyrone Cabrera, Christine Grace V. Ogerio, Johann Querijero, Helen A. Banwell, Consuelo B. Gonzalez-Suarez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:WFUMB Ultrasound Open
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949668325000011
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author Maria Belinda Cristina C. Fidel
Jan Tyrone Cabrera
Christine Grace V. Ogerio
Johann Querijero
Helen A. Banwell
Consuelo B. Gonzalez-Suarez
author_facet Maria Belinda Cristina C. Fidel
Jan Tyrone Cabrera
Christine Grace V. Ogerio
Johann Querijero
Helen A. Banwell
Consuelo B. Gonzalez-Suarez
author_sort Maria Belinda Cristina C. Fidel
collection DOAJ
description Objectives: The increase in hamstring injuries highlights gaps in current understanding and prevention strategies. Hamstring architecture, quality, and mechanical properties influence force production, offering key insights into muscle health and function. This study aims to refine a standardized protocol for hamstring image acquisition and digitization and to assess inter- and intra-rater reliability of measurements like fascicle length, pennation angle, muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, echo intensity, and shear wave elastography. Methods: This study had two phases: pilot and protocol refinement and intra- and inter-rater reliability of image digitization of fascicle length, pennation angle, muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and echo intensity and intra-rater reliability of shear wave elastography using intra-class correlation coefficient. Results: This study developed and refined a hamstring image acquisition and digitization protocol, focusing on architecture, quality, and stiffness along its length at rest and during isometric contraction. Using Image J, intra-rater reliability for digitizing fascicle length, pennation angle, muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and echo intensity was excellent. Inter-rater reliability ranged from moderate to excellent across all variables. Shear wave elastography showed moderate to excellent intra-rater reliability, with higher consistency during contraction than rest. Conclusion: The authors refined a standardized protocol for ultrasound imaging of hamstring architecture, quality, and stiffness, as well as digitization of fascicle length, pennation angle, muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and echo intensity at rest and during isometric contraction using ImageJ. The protocol demonstrated moderate to excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability, with image markings further enhancing measurement consistency.
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spelling doaj-art-bc06e7759358473e964f30fb1a843a592025-08-20T02:31:57ZengElsevierWFUMB Ultrasound Open2949-66832025-06-013110007910.1016/j.wfumbo.2025.100079Protocol refinement and inter- and intra-rater reliability assessment of ultrasound-based measurements of hamstring architecture, and echo intensity, and intra-rater reliability of shear wave elastographyMaria Belinda Cristina C. Fidel0Jan Tyrone Cabrera1Christine Grace V. Ogerio2Johann Querijero3Helen A. Banwell4Consuelo B. Gonzalez-Suarez5Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Espana Manila, Philippines; Corresponding author.Faculty Member, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas, Espana Manila, PhilippinesDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Manila, PhilippinesDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Metro North Medical Center, Quezon City, PhilippinesAllied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, Adelaide, 5001, AustraliaFaculty Member, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Santo Tomas, Espana Manila, Philippines; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Manila, PhilippinesObjectives: The increase in hamstring injuries highlights gaps in current understanding and prevention strategies. Hamstring architecture, quality, and mechanical properties influence force production, offering key insights into muscle health and function. This study aims to refine a standardized protocol for hamstring image acquisition and digitization and to assess inter- and intra-rater reliability of measurements like fascicle length, pennation angle, muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, echo intensity, and shear wave elastography. Methods: This study had two phases: pilot and protocol refinement and intra- and inter-rater reliability of image digitization of fascicle length, pennation angle, muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and echo intensity and intra-rater reliability of shear wave elastography using intra-class correlation coefficient. Results: This study developed and refined a hamstring image acquisition and digitization protocol, focusing on architecture, quality, and stiffness along its length at rest and during isometric contraction. Using Image J, intra-rater reliability for digitizing fascicle length, pennation angle, muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and echo intensity was excellent. Inter-rater reliability ranged from moderate to excellent across all variables. Shear wave elastography showed moderate to excellent intra-rater reliability, with higher consistency during contraction than rest. Conclusion: The authors refined a standardized protocol for ultrasound imaging of hamstring architecture, quality, and stiffness, as well as digitization of fascicle length, pennation angle, muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and echo intensity at rest and during isometric contraction using ImageJ. The protocol demonstrated moderate to excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability, with image markings further enhancing measurement consistency.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949668325000011HamstringUltrasoundReliability assessmentProtocol refinement
spellingShingle Maria Belinda Cristina C. Fidel
Jan Tyrone Cabrera
Christine Grace V. Ogerio
Johann Querijero
Helen A. Banwell
Consuelo B. Gonzalez-Suarez
Protocol refinement and inter- and intra-rater reliability assessment of ultrasound-based measurements of hamstring architecture, and echo intensity, and intra-rater reliability of shear wave elastography
WFUMB Ultrasound Open
Hamstring
Ultrasound
Reliability assessment
Protocol refinement
title Protocol refinement and inter- and intra-rater reliability assessment of ultrasound-based measurements of hamstring architecture, and echo intensity, and intra-rater reliability of shear wave elastography
title_full Protocol refinement and inter- and intra-rater reliability assessment of ultrasound-based measurements of hamstring architecture, and echo intensity, and intra-rater reliability of shear wave elastography
title_fullStr Protocol refinement and inter- and intra-rater reliability assessment of ultrasound-based measurements of hamstring architecture, and echo intensity, and intra-rater reliability of shear wave elastography
title_full_unstemmed Protocol refinement and inter- and intra-rater reliability assessment of ultrasound-based measurements of hamstring architecture, and echo intensity, and intra-rater reliability of shear wave elastography
title_short Protocol refinement and inter- and intra-rater reliability assessment of ultrasound-based measurements of hamstring architecture, and echo intensity, and intra-rater reliability of shear wave elastography
title_sort protocol refinement and inter and intra rater reliability assessment of ultrasound based measurements of hamstring architecture and echo intensity and intra rater reliability of shear wave elastography
topic Hamstring
Ultrasound
Reliability assessment
Protocol refinement
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949668325000011
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