Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Apr 1;14(3):563-577.
doi: 10.70252/FOOV8378. eCollection 2021.

Evaluating the Intra-Rater and Inter-Rater Reliability of Fixed Tension Scale Instrumentation for Determining Isometric Neck Strength

Alexander T McDaniel  1 , Lindsey H Schroeder  1 , Jessica A Freedman  1 , Yishi Wang  2 , Michel J H Heijnen  1
Affiliations

Evaluating the Intra-Rater and Inter-Rater Reliability of Fixed Tension Scale Instrumentation for Determining Isometric Neck Strength

Alexander T McDaniel et al. Int J Exerc Sci. .

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of a fixed tension scale instrumentation, comparing the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability between seating and standing measurement techniques. Instrumentation developed from this study will be utilized to assess isometric neck strength in future studies comparing neck strengthening protocols.

Methods: Isometric neck strength for eight movements (cervical/capital flexion, cervical/capital extension, left/right lateral flexion, left/right cervical rotation) as well as anthropometric measurements were evaluated for thirty-one participants through the use of a novel neck strength assessment protocol.

Results: The fixed tension scale instrumentation and methods used in this study demonstrated good to excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC range from 0.78 to 0.97) as well as moderate to excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC range from 0.73 to 0.91) for both measurement techniques.

Practical applications: This study will provide foundational knowledge for the reliable assessment of neck strength. Additionally, the findings will provide a cost-effective, portable, and reliable instrument for measuring isometric neck strength.

Conclusions: Seated and standing measurement techniques demonstrated similar intra and inter-rater reliability. Inter-rater reliability tended to be lower with motions (capital flexion and extension) that required the participants to face directly towards or away from the instrumentation. This could be due to participant positioning or unfamiliarity with those specific movements. The assessment protocol utilized in this study demonstrated comparable inter-rater reliability to another cost-effective method for evaluating isometric neck strength.

Keywords: Cervical spine assessment tool; fixed frame dynamometry; mild traumatic brain injury.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Tension Scale and Testing Positions
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. CDC. TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths (EDHDs) Atlanta, GA: Center for Disease Control and Prevention; 2014.
    1. Collins CL, Fletcher EN, Fields SK, et al. Neck strength: a protective factor reducing risk for concussion in high school sports. J Primary Prevent. 2014;35:309–319. - PubMed
    1. Daly E, Pearce AJ, Ryan L. A systematic review of strength and conditioning protocols for improving neck strength and reducing concussion incidence and impact injury risk in collision sports; is there evidence? J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021;6(8):1–15. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Faul M, Xu L, Wald MM, Coronado VG. Traumatic brain injury in the United States: Emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths 2002–2006. Atlanta, GA: CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2010. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/blue_book.pdf.
    1. Frieden TR, Collins FS. Report to congress on traumatic brain injury in the united states: understanding the public health problem among current and former military personnel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention & National Institutes of Health; 2013. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pubs/congress_military.html.

LinkOut - more resources