Reliability of knee extensor neuromuscular structure and function and functional tests’ performance

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra and inter-rater inter-analyzer reliability neuromuscular variables functional tests. Methods Cross-sectional crossover design. Two independent raters analyzers evaluated twenty-two healthy subjects. Knee-extensor strength assessed from three maximal voluntary isometric contractions. Muscle activation obtained vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), medialis (VM) muscles. VL RF muscles’ architecture [fascicle length (FL), pennation angle (PA), muscle thickness (MT)] at rest by ultrasound. time five sit-to-stand (STS) trials, distance 6-min walk test (6MWT) were obtained. Intraclass correlation coefficient determined classified as strong (r = 0.75–1.00), moderate 0.40–0.74), weak < 0.40). Results Strong intra-rater values observed for 0.97), [VL 0.91); 0.92); VM 0.80)], [FL 0.90); PA 0.94); MT 0.99)] [MT 0.85)] architecture, STS 0.95), 6MWT 0.98). Inter-rater also presented 0.79); 0.78)], [PA 0.81) 0.88)] 0.93), A 0.69)]. Inter-analyzer 0.77); 0.76); 0.91)] 0.99)]. Conclusion high most is evidence that they can be used clinical evaluation. might need a longer training period different increase reliability.