Optimizing Between-Session Reliability for Quadriceps Peak Torque and Rate of Torque Development Measures

Abstract

Grindstaff, TL, Palimenio, MR, Franco, M, Anderson, D, Bagwell, JJ, and Katsavelis, D. Optimizing between-session reliability for quadriceps peak torque and rate of torque development measures. J Strength Cond Res 33(7): 1840-1847, 2019 - Quadriceps peak torque and rate of torque development (RTD) have relevance for athletic performance and recovery after knee injury. The number of repetitions performed to determine RTD varies between studies, and the associated measurement error has not been established. The purpose of this study was to determine the number of repetitions necessary to optimize the between-session reliability for isometric quadriceps peak torque and RTD measures and to quantify estimates of measurement error. Twenty participants (age = 21.7 ± 1.7 years, height = 172.5 ± 16.0 cm, body mass = 76.0 ± 15.5 kg, and Tegner = 7.1 ± 1.2) volunteered for this study. Quadriceps isometric peak torque and RTD (50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 ms, and maximum torque) were obtained during 2 testing sessions. Between-session reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC2,k), using the minimal detectable change (MDC) and coefficient of variation (CoV) to quantify measurement error. Between-session reliability was best maximized by using the average of the 3 repetitions with the highest peak torque. Reliability was good for quadriceps peak torque (ICC2,3 = 0.98; MDC = 51.1 N·m; CoV = 38.0%) and ranged from moderate to good for quadriceps RTD measures (ICC2,3 = 0.61 to 0.91; MDC = 264.8 to 738.3 N·m·s-1; CoV = 38.1-57.9%). Measures of late RTD were less variable and more reliable than early RTD and average RTD measures. These results provide confidence when measuring between-session changes for late RTD measures, but changes in early RTD may be more difficult to distinguish from measurement error. Methods should be used to minimize variability between repetitions and sessions.