Reliability and concurrent validity of an alternative method of lateral lumbar range of motion in athletes

Authors

Mark D. Hecimovich, University of Northern IowaFollow
Jeffrey J. Herbert, Murdoch University

Document Type

Article

Keywords

authenticity, efficacy, range of motion, lumbar spine

Journal/Book/Conference Title Title

South African Journal of Sports Medicine

Volume

28

Issue

1

First Page

23

Last Page

26

Abstract

Background: Cricket bowling involves combined spinal movements of side bending and rotation and, consequently, injury to the low back is a common problem. Therefore the assessment of lumbar spine kinematics has become a routine component in preseason screening. This includes static measurement of lateral spinal flexion as asymmetrical range of motion may predispose an athlete to low back injury.

Objectives: This study examined intra-rater reliability and concurrent validity of the fingertip-to-floor distance test (FFD) when compared to a criterion range of motion measure.

Methods: Thirty-four junior-level cricket players aged 13‑16 years were recruited. Lumbar spine lateral flexion was measured simultaneously with the fingertip-to-floor distance test and digital inclinometry methods. Relative and absolute intra-rater reliability were investigated with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC_3,1) of agreement, standard error of measurement (SEM) estimates, Bland and Altman bias estimates and 95% limits of agreement, respectively. The concurrent validity of the fingertip-to-floor distance test, compared to digital inclinometry measures, was examined with Pearson correlation coefficients.

Results: Intra-rater reliability demonstrated substantial agreement for both measures (ICC_3,1 > 0.84). The fingertip-to-floor distance test SEM values ranged from 1.71‑2.01 cm with an estimated minimum detectable change (MDC) threshold of 4.73‑5.55 cm. The inclinometry SEM values ranged from 1.00‑1.09° with minimal detectable change estimates of 2.77‑3.01°. There were strong correlations between the index test and criterion measure outcomes (r > 0.84, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: This study’s results support the intra-rater reliability and concurrent validity of the finger-to-floor distance test, suggesting it to be a suitable surrogate measure for lumbar lateral flexion testing.

Department

School of Kinesiology, Allied Health, and Human Services

Comments

First published in South African Journal of Sports Medicine, v. 28 n. 1 (2016), pp. 23-26, published by African Journals Online. DOI: 10.17159/2078-516X

Original Publication Date

2016

DOI of published version

10.17159/2078-516X/2016/v28i1a1414

Repository

UNI ScholarWorks, University of Northern Iowa, Rod Library

Copyright

©2016 Mark D. Hecimovich and Jeffrey J. Hebert

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Date Digital

2016

Language

EN

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Hecimovich, Mark D. and Herbert, Jeffrey J., "Reliability and concurrent validity of an alternative method of lateral lumbar range of motion in athletes" (2016). Faculty Publications. 2.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/hpels_facpub/2