Affiliations: [a] School of Physiotherapy, The University of Melbourne,
Victoria 3010, Australia
Note: [] Head, School of Physiotherapy, Associate Dean, Faculty of
Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne,
Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. Tel.: +61 3 8344 4171; Fax: +61 3 8344
4188; E-mail: j.mcmeeken@unimelb.edu.au
Abstract: The reliability of several gravity correction procedures was
examined using a KinCom trunk dynamometer in thirty subjects with no history of
low back pain. The procedures, including the KinCom software procedure, an
isometric mode and a passive force curve mode were evaluated for variability.
Mean differences and standard deviation of difference scores were used to
indicate systematic and random variability as well as coefficient of variation
of method error to express variability relative to score magnitude. Overall,
the isometric and eccentric passive force curve modes were most reliable while
the KinCom software method showed greatest variability. In all modes,
considerable variability was present between the angles of 5 to 15 degrees for
flexion and between 5 to 20 degrees for extension. These findings indicate that
alternative methods of gravity correction which may be more reliable than those
provided by the supplier, should be used to ensure greater reproducibility of
results.
