Reliability of make and break tests in assessing intrinsic foot muscle strength using a handheld dynamometer in healthy young adults

Abstract

Purpose: The make and break tests are used in isometric muscle measurement via a handheld dynamometer. This study aimed to compare the reliability of intrinsic foot muscle strength assessment with break and make tests in healthy young adults. Methods: Seventy-five healthy adults completed the test-retest protocol with five days between tests. The maximal isometric strength measure of intrinsic foot muscles was measured during make/break tests using a handheld dynamometer. Test-retest reliability was calculated using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Minimal detectable changes were calculated using standard error measurements. Results: According to the analysis, the strength results of the break test were higher in all muscles when compared to the make test (p<0.05). The strength measurements of the intrinsic foot muscles was found to have almost perfect test-retest reliability in the make and break test (ICC=0.938-0.986). Conclusion: Healthy adults showed stable test-retest results on all muscle strength measurements of the intrinsic foot muscles. The make and break test carried out usnig the handheld dynamometer is a reliable method for assessing intrinsic foot muscle strength in healthy adults. Both make and break tests are reliable measurements for the strength of intrinsic foot muscles.