A Intra-Rater Reliability of a Novel Isometric Dynamometer for Trunk Extensor Strength Assessment in Healthy Young Adults.

Authors

  • Maria Manuela Cardoso Soares Department of Physiotherapy, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
  • Rafaela Silva de Souza Department of Physiotherapy, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
  • Paulo Andre Rodrigues de Sousa Department of Physiotherapy, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
  • Sacha Clael Fisical Education, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
  • Elaine Cristina Leite University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
  • João Luiz Durigan University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
  • Gerson Cipriano Júnior University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil
  • Wagner Rodrigues Martins Department of Physiotherapy, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70860/abef_20255770

Keywords:

Confiabilidade, Dinamometria, Força muscular, Torque, Fisioterapia, Extensor de tronco

Abstract

Introduction: Assessment of trunk muscle strength is crucial for evaluating physical performance and postural stability. While isokinetic dynamometers are the gold standard for these measurements, their cost and complexity limit accessibility. More practical and reliable alternatives are needed. Objective: To determine the intra-rater reliability of a novel isometric fixed-frame dynamometer for assessing trunk extensor strength in healthy young adults. Methods: This intra-rater reliability study included 41 university students (13 men, 28 women). Participants performed three maximal isometric voluntary contractions (MIVC) of trunk extension in a standardized seated position across two sessions, one week apart. Intra-rater reliability was assessed using a 2-way mixed-effects consistency intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC3,1), standard error of measurement (SEM, SEM%), and minimal detectable change (MDC, MDC%). Results: Intra-rater reliability was excellent (ICC = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82–0.94), with an SEM of 5.12N (1.21%), and an MDC of 6.27N (1.39%), indicating a minimal measurement error. Conclusions: The novel isometric dynamometer demonstrated high intra-rater reliability and low measurement error, supporting its use for trunk extensor strength assessment in healthy young adults. Future research should explore its applicability in clinical populations and in different age groups. 

Author Biographies

Paulo Andre Rodrigues de Sousa, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy from the University of Brasília (UnB) at the Ceilândia College. He is eager to learn about neurology, biochemistry, biomechanics, and work practices. He is a member of extension projects focused on the areas mentioned above, including: Lian Gong (Tranquility Pills for Your Day), PREVFRAT (Integrated Care Program for Falls and Fractures for the Elderly), Assessment and Treatment of People with Neuromotor Disabilities (ATPIN), and the Academic League of Movement Sciences (LACIMOV). He has experience in dialectics and teaching, having been a tutor and monitor of biochemistry in the subject "Genera a Vida" since February 2022 at the University of Brasília, simultaneously serving as a liaison responsible for teaching neurology content for members and non-members of the Neurology League and the community. He has a six-year academic degree in English as a foreign language.

Sacha Clael, Fisical Education, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

Experienced in Physical Exercise and Rehabilitation for Special Populations, with an emphasis on Neurophysiology and Biochemistry. Contact: sachaclael@hotmail.com

Elaine Cristina Leite, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

Physiotherapist from the Federal University of São Carlos (1997), PhD in Cellular and Structural Biology in Anatomy from the State University of Campinas (2005) and Master in Cellular and Structural Biology in Anatomy from the State University of Campinas (2000). Specialist in Distance Learning Training. She is currently Associate Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technologies (FCTS) of the Ceilândia campus of the University of Brasília (UnB). Accredited in the Stricto Sensu Postgraduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences (PPGCR) of FCTS/UnB. Evaluator for the National Higher Education Assessment System - BASis. She is a reviewer for the journals Frontiers in Physiology, Clinics, Oxidants and Antioxidants in Medical Science and the Brazilian Journal of Science and Movement. Member of the editorial board of the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy. She develops research in the area of ​​Skeletal Muscle Plasticity. He has academic experience in the areas of morphology, public health, biomechanics, kinesiotherapy, and manual therapies.

João Luiz Durigan, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

Associate Professor at the University of Brasília, teaching the undergraduate program in Physical Therapy and advising the Master's and Doctoral programs in the Rehabilitation Sciences and Physical Education programs. He leads the GplasT Musculotendon Plasticity Research Group and coordinates the LaPlasT Musculotendon Plasticity Laboratory. He also coordinates the Traumato-Orthopedic Physical Therapy specialization program at UnB. I am a research associate at the University of Delaware (https://sites.udel.edu/kgs/research-team/) and the University of Burgundy (https://www.cepcometti.com/projets-de-recherche/). He holds a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy (UNIPAR - 2003), a master's degree in Physical Therapy (UNIMEP - 2006), and a PhD in Physiological Sciences (UFSCar - 2008). He completed his postdoctoral studies at the Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen (ISMC - 2009) and at UFSCar (2010-2012). He was a Visiting Professor/Researcher at the University of Alberta (2018-2019) and at the University of Delaware (2023-2024). He is an Associate Editor of the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy (BJPT). In addition, he is an Ad Hoc Consultant for CAPES, CNPq, FAP-DF, FAPESP, FAPEMIG, FUNDECT, FACEPE, DECIT-MS, the PIBIC/PIBIT Institutional Scholarship Program (UnB, UCB, Uniceub, UDF, and PUC Minas), and the National Science Center Poland; and for several national and international journals. He also works as an evaluator for the National Higher Education Assessment System - BASis. He is a member of the Brazilian Association for Research and Postgraduate Studies in Physiotherapy (ABRAPG-Ft - 2018-2022: Scientific Coordinator) and the Brazilian Association of Traumato-Orthopedic Physiotherapy (ABRAFITO - 2020-2021: Scientific Coordinator of Electrophysical Agents). He was a CNPq Productivity in Technological Development DT-2 scholarship holder (2015-2018). He develops basic research in the area of ​​Physiotherapy, with an emphasis on Musculoskeletal Plasticity, Electrophysical Agents (Electro-photo-thermal) and Biotechnological Resources in partnership with national (UFSCar, UCB, UFSM, UPE, UFRGS, UFRJ) and international (France, Switzerland, Denmark, USA, Canada and Australia) researchers. E-mail: joaodurigan@gmail.com or durigan@unb.br. Website: https://linktr.ee/joaodurigan.

Gerson Cipriano Júnior, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

ACADEMIC TRAINING: Post-Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Miami (USA) (2018/19 - PVE/CAPES); from the University of Miami (2017 - FAPDF); and from the University of New Mexico (2013 - CNPq). PhD in Health Sciences (Cardiovascular Surgery) from UNIFESP (2007). Master's in Health Sciences (Cardiology) (2004). MBA in Management from BBS/Richmond (2003). Specialization in Physical Therapy in Pulmonology from UNIFESP (2001). Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Western São Paulo (1999). ADVANCED TRAINING: Training in Cardiopulmonary Testing (CHEST - USA, 2019; CareFusion/ACSM - USA, 2009); Development of GRADE Guidelines (US GRADE Network - USA, 2019); Cardiovascular Rehabilitation (ESC - Switzerland, 2013); Basic and Advanced Systematic Review (Brazilian Cochrane Center - Brazil, 2015). ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH ACTIVITY: Associate Professor of the Physiotherapy Course at the University of Brasília (UnB). Advisor in the Postgraduate Programs in Health Sciences and Technologies (UnB - Area 45) and PPGMHR (Unievangélica - Area 21). Leader of the Cardiorespiratory Rehabilitation Research Group (GPRC/CNPq) since 2009. Coordinator of the In-Person and Remote Cardiorespiratory Rehabilitation projects (PRECAP_ON and PRECAP_OFF, 2014-present) and the Post-COVID-19 Rehabilitation Program (COVIDIMT, 2020-2022). ACADEMIC MANAGEMENT: Coordinator of Research and Innovation at the FCE/UnB Campus (2023). He coordinated the Graduate Programs in Health Sciences and Technologies (PPGCTS) at UnB (2014 to 2016), coordinated all Stricto Sensu Graduate Programs at UnB with the Dean's Office of Graduate Studies at UnB (2018), led the first APCN for the creation of the PPG in Rehabilitation Sciences (2016). He served as a member of the Research Ethics Committee (2017-2018; 2022-2023) and was vice-coordinator and coordinator of the Physiotherapy Course at UnB (2011-2012) and at Ibirapuera University (2006-2007). PARTNERSHIPS AND FUNDING: Has established international collaborations with the University of Miami (USA), Ottawa University (Canada), Hasselt University (Belgium), among others. Coordinates 5 funded projects and has coordinated 14 projects through various funding agencies, including international ones. SUPERVISIONS: Currently supervises 2 postdoctoral students, 5 doctoral students, 1 master's student, 3 scientific initiation fellows, and 1 final project. Has completed 6 postdoctoral supervisions, 11 doctoral programs, 15 master's programs, and 31 scientific initiation programs. Several graduates have held academic positions in higher education institutions, including 4 at federal universities, 10 completed sandwich doctoral programs abroad, and 2 have dual degrees. SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION: Author of 212 indexed articles, 23 book chapters, 1 patent, and 3 registered software programs. He was Associate Editor of PLOS ONE and General Editor of Scientific Documents at ASSOBRAFIR, co-authoring the first International Guidelines in Cardiovascular, Respiratory and Intensive Care Physiotherapy of ASSOBRAFIR. ORCID (0000-0001-6323-7003) Web of Science (K-6317-2014), Scopus (57226103372). H-Index: Web of Science (17), Scopus (20). CONSULTANCY: Ad Hoc Consultant for CAPES, CNPq, FAPDF and PIBIC/PIBIT/UnB, in addition to national and international journals. Member of the Brazilian Association for Research and Postgraduate Studies in Physiotherapy (ABRAPG-Ft, 2018-2022), ASSOBRAFIR and European Society of Cardiology. He was a CNPq PQ-2 scholarship holder (2021-2024). AWARDS and TITLES: He received 30 academic and scientific awards and titles, 4 of which were international, including recognition as a Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology (FESC) and the Presidency of the Largest International Symposium of Physiotherapy Specialties (SIFR/Assobrafir), in 2024.

Wagner Rodrigues Martins, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil

I graduated in physical therapy from the Faculty of Rehabilitation of the Association of Solidarity with Exceptional Children (FASCE) in Rio de Janeiro (graduated in 2002). I obtained my specialist certification in Functional Traumatology and Orthopedics from the University of Brasília (UnB) in 2005, my Master's degree in Health Sciences in 2008, and my Doctorate in Health Sciences in 2013, both from the Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences at UnB. I completed a postdoctoral internship with funding from the CNPQ (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) in the Rehabilitation Sciences Program at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (2018-2019). I am currently an Associate Professor at UnB in the Physical Therapy Program (Faculdade de Ceilândia - FCE). I also work as a permanent professor in the postgraduate programs in Physical Education (PPGEF) and Rehabilitation Sciences (PPGCR). In addition to teaching and research, I mentor extension students in a Continuous Action Extension Project (PEAC) in the community of Ceilândia, Federal District. I am a member of the Brazilian Association of Research and Postgraduate Studies in Physiotherapy (ABRAPG-FT).

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Published

2026-03-13

How to Cite

Cardoso Soares, M. M., Silva de Souza, R., Rodrigues de Sousa, P. A., Clael, S., Cristina Leite, E., Luiz Durigan, J., … Rodrigues Martins, W. (2026). A Intra-Rater Reliability of a Novel Isometric Dynamometer for Trunk Extensor Strength Assessment in Healthy Young Adults . Brazilian Archives of Physical Education, 8, 57–70. https://doi.org/10.70860/abef_20255770

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Vol. 8 (2025): Brazilian Archives of Physical Education

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