Reliability and Validity of Digital Inclinometer in Assessing Ankle Dorsiflexion: A Focus on First Detectable Resistance Position in Individuals With and Without Achilles Tendinopathy
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction. The dorsiflexion range of motion in the ankle joint within an open kinetic chain can be measured by the First Detectable Resistance Position. Understanding such biomechanical alterations is crucial for intervening in the prevention and expediting the rehabilitation time of these injuries. Objective. To determine the reliability and concurrent validity of the digital inclinometer as a tool for assessing the First Detectable Resistance Position and the maximum dorsiflexion range of motion in the ankle joint complex. Methods. The sample comprised 50 healthy and symptomatic participants with Achilles tendinopathy of both genders. All participants had their ankle joint’s First Detectable Resistance Position measured using both a manual goniometer and a digital inclinometer. Data analysis involved descriptive analysis, independent t-test, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient, and Pearson’s Correlation. Results. The majority of the sample was female (58%), with a mean age of 26.70 ± 10.26 years and BMI (kg/m2) of 25.72 ± 4.52. Intraexaminer and interexaminer reliability Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) for the digital inclinometer were 0.96 (95%CI 0.94-0.98) and 0.94 (95%CI 0.87-0.97), respectively. The Standard Error of Measurement for digital inclinometer measurements in our study was 0.48° and 0.75° for intraexaminer and interexaminer, respectively. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient showed a strong direct correlation for Examiner A (r = 0.95; p = 0.001) and Examiner B (r = 0.93; p = 0.001) between the digital inclinometer and the manual goniometer. The Bland–Altman plot showed greater agreement in the digital goniometer when comparing measurements with the manual goniometer for evaluating the First Detectable Resistance Position of the ankle joint complex. Conclusions. The study achieved excellent reliability and validity with a strong correlation between the manual goniometer and the digital inclinometer for evaluating the First Detectable Resistance Position of the ankle joint complex.
Authors: Daniel Nogueira Barreto de Melo, Paloma Almeida Pereira, Márcio Almeida Bezerra, Rodrigo Ribeiro de Oliveira
Institution: Universidade Federal do Ceará
Language: English
Topic: Foot and Ankle Surgery
Subfield: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4404764230