RELIABILITY OF THE ISOMETRIC DYNAMOMETER IN CONTROL, PARAPLEGIC, AND AMPUTEE INDIVIDUALS

To determine the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), Minimum Detectable Change (MDC), and the Minimum Clinically Important Difference (MCID) of the isometric measurements of muscle strength of trunk extension and of flexion and knee extension at maximum contraction in healthy, paraplegic, and amputee individuals, by using an isometric dynamometer with a belt for stabilization. An observational cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the reliability of a portable isometric dynamometer in the trunk extension and flexion and knee extension movements of each group. In all measurements, ICC ranged from 0.66 to 0.99, SEM from 0.11 to 3.73 kgf, and MDC from 0.30 to 10.3 kgf The MCID of the movements ranged from 3.1 to 4.9 kgf in the amputee group and from 2.2 to 3.66 kgf in the paraplegic group. The manual dynamometer demonstrated good intra-examiner reliability, presenting moderate and excellent ICC results. Thus, this device is a reliable resource to measure muscle strength in amputees and paraplegics.