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Reliability of measures of quadriceps muscle function using magnetic stimulation
Author(s) -
Tofari Paul J.,
Opar David A.,
Kemp Justin G.,
Billaut Francois,
Cormack Stuart
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.24926
Subject(s) - intraclass correlation , electromyography , reliability (semiconductor) , standard error , medicine , stimulation , physical medicine and rehabilitation , coefficient of variation , confidence interval , physical therapy , reproducibility , mathematics , statistics , physics , power (physics) , quantum mechanics
: Magnetic stimulation can be used to assess muscle function by calculating voluntary activation using an interpolated twitch during maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) and control twitches to potentiated muscle. In this study we assessed the reliability of torque, electromyography (EMG), and voluntary activation variables. Methods : Fifteen men completed 5 testing sessions (2 familiarization and 3 reliability trials) to assess quadriceps femoris muscle function. Intra‐ and interday reliability levels of torque and EMG variables were estimated using typical error ± 90% confidence limits, expressed as percentage [coefficient of variation (CV)] and intraclass correlation coefficient. The smallest worthwhile change was calculated as 0.2 × between‐participant standard deviation. Results : Intra‐ and interday torque variables for MVC were reliable (CV < 4%, ICC 0.98, and CV < 5%, ICC 0.99, respectively). EMG variables were less reliable than torque variables, with CVs ranging from 7% to 18%. Conclusion : Magnetic stimulation of the femoral nerve is a reliable method for assessing muscle function. Muscle Nerve 53 : 770–778, 2016