Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Objective: To evaluate the reliability and identify the standard error of measurement (SEM) and the
minimal detectable change (MDC) of the weight-bearing lunge-test and the posterior talar glide test.
Methods: A test-retest study with 16 individuals reporting history of at least one ankle sprain. Participants
were recruited from a pool of university students to whom the above tests were applied, by the same
examiner, in two different moments. Resultados: This study found an intra-class correlation coefficient
(ICC(3,3)) of 0,994 (95% confidence interval = 0,982 - 0,998, and a SEM of 0,18 cm) for the weight-bearing
lunge test and an ICC(3,3) of 0,995 (95% confidence interval = 0,987 - 0,998 and a SEM of 0,16º) for the
posterior talar glide test. These results are lightly superior to others found in other studies (Collins et al.
2004; Vicenzino et al. 2001; Bennel et al. 1998) and show that these tests have high reliability and low
systematic error. Conclusions: Our data suggests that both tests can be used as useful and easily applied
instruments, to identify restrictions at the dorsiflexion range of motion and posterior talar glide. The MDC’
results will help the clinical interpretation of treatment changes on subjects, allowing to distinguish the
values that represent a true change from those due to test measurement errors.
Description
Keywords
Ankle Range of movement Measurement Minimal detectable change