Abstract

This study examined the intratester and intertester reliability of an active-knee-extension test (AKET) for determining hamstring muscle length (flexibility). Three testers performed repeated AKET measurements on 22 subjects. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to calculate intratester and intertester reliability. Also, standard error of measurements (SEM) were calculated. The ICC and SEM were .96 and 1.82 degrees, respectively, for Tester 1, .99 and 1.75 degrees for Tester 2, and .99 and 1.80 degrees for Tester 3. Intratester 95 confidence intervals ranged from 60.54 to 69.82 degrees. Intertester ICC and SEM for two testers were .93 and 4.81 degrees, respectively. A 95 intertester confidence interval ranged from 56.35 to 75.21 degrees; this reveals that intertester AKET values contained more error and suggests that only intratester AKET values should be used when comparing hamstring flexibility values. The AKET may provide a more accurate method for determining hamstring flexibility and quantifying changes that occur as a result of injury and stretching procedures. Verf.-Referat