Test-retest reliability for hitting accuracy tennis test

Strecker, E, Foster, EB, and Pascoe, DD. Test-retest reliability for hitting accuracy tennis test. J Strength Cond Res 25(12): 3501-3505, 2011-The purpose of this investigation was to assess a test-retest reliability of the hitting accuracy tennis test (HATT). Twelve National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) division I tennis players (4 men and 8 women) volunteered to participate in this investigation. Skill tests consisted of 15 consecutive ground strokes in all 4 directions (forehand [FH] and backhand [BH]; crosscourt and up the line) with not >1 minute between directions. The court was divided into 12 areas, and each area was assigned a value according to a grid system based on offensive, defensive, and neutral shots ranging from 1 point to 6 points. Total score, unforced errors, and shot index (total number of shots that landed on optimal performance areas 5 and 6 minus total number of unforced errors) were used for statistical analysis. The order of shot direction was randomized between participants and trials. The analysis of variance with repeated measures (p value ≤ 0.05) of this investigation showed no statistical difference between trials on any of the measurements. The results also suggest that division I level tennis players have the ability to hit accurately specific targets on a tennis court using either FH or BH with minimal daily variation. Therefore, we conclude that the HATT for trained tennis athletes is a simple, reliable, and accurate assessment tool to measure tennis skill performance based on accuracy. The HATT is also an easy, inexpensive training device that coaches can use to monitor players development.     

Test-retest reliability of Patrick's hip range of motion test in healthy college-aged men

This study determined the test-retest reliability of Patrick's test as a hip range of motion assessment method. Fifty healthy college-aged men (mean age = 20.0 years) were studied during 2 testing sessions separated by 24 hours. A single inexperienced tester performed all the measurements in this study. Before data collection, the tester participated in a 15-minute instructional session on how to perform Patrick's test. To determine the range of motion associated with Patrick's test, the tester passively flexed, abducted, and externally rotated the hip of the lower extremity that was to be tested while subjects were in a supine position, so that the lateral malleolus of the tested lower extremity rested just superior to their opposite extended knee. The vertical distance between a mark on the lateral border of the patella of the tested lower extremity and the treatment table was then measured. The results revealed that Patrick's test demonstrated high test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.93). The results of this study support the use of Patrick's test as being a reliable measure of general hip motion when used by an inexperienced tester who participated in a 15-minute instructional session on how to perform Patrick's test.     

Test-retest reliability of the five-repetition sit-to-stand test: a systematic review of the literature involving adults

The 5-repetition sit-to-stand test (FRSTST) is a widely used measure of functional strength, particularly among older adults. The purpose of this review was to summarize the findings of research using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to describe the test-retest reliability of the FRSTST. A search of 3 electronic databases and hand searches were used to identify relevant articles. Information on the subjects, test sessions and the ICCs reported was abstracted from the articles. The searches identified 10 relevant articles. The ICCs reported in the articles ranged from 0.64 to 0.96. The adjusted mean ICC calculated from the reported ICCs was 0.81. The test-retest reliability of the FRSTST can be interpreted as good to high in most populations and settings.     

Sniffing longer rather than stronger to maintain olfactory detection threshold

Air flow-rate is usually higher in one nostril in comparison to the other. Also, within bounds, higher nasal flow-rate improves odorant detection. It follows from the above that odorant detection should be better in the nostril with higher flow-rate in comparison to the nostril with lower flow-rate. Paradoxically, previous research has shown that odorant detection thresholds are equal for the high and low flow-rate nostrils. Here we resolve this apparent paradox by showing that when detecting through the nostril with lower air flow-rate, humans sniffed longer than when detecting through the nostril with higher air flow-rate, thus equalizing performance between the nostrils. When this compensatory mechanism was blocked, a pronounced advantage in odorant detection was seen for the nostril with higher air flow-rate over the nostril with lower air flow-rate. Finally, we show that normal birhinal sniff duration may enable only one nostril to reach optimal threshold. This finding implies that during each sniff, each nostril conveys to the brain a slightly different image of the olfactory world. It remains to be shown how the brain combines these images into a single olfactory percept.     

Test-retest reliability of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressures

The test-retest reliability of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressures (ABP) was examined using correlational analyses as well as idiographic and nomothetic time-series regression analyses. Thirty normotensives (equal males and females) underwent ABP monitoring on three occasions, each of which was separated by a week. When analyzing the data, various postural positions, activities, and locations were controlled for in order to differentially assess the effects of these variables independently. Correlational analyses found the overall test-retest reliability of the ABPs to be quite good (SBP r =.84–.88, DBP r =.83–.86, HR r =.91–.95). Correlations examined within specific postural positions, activities, and locations were also significant. The time-series regression analyses used confirmed the reproducibility of the ABPs, with no greater than 20% of the subjects showing significant changes in ABPs over the three monitoring periods. Gender effects were also examined. In general, males had significantly higher systolic ABPs overall, although there was no influence of gender in terms of the test-retest reliability of the ABPs.     

Test-retest reliability of 4 single-leg horizontal hop tests

The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability of 4 single-leg horizontal hop tests (i.e., single hop for distance, triple hop for distance, crossover hop for distance, and 6-m hop for time), with a time interval of approximately 4 weeks separating the 2 testing sessions. Eighteen healthy, young, adult men, all cadets enrolled at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado, performed the single hop for distance, the triple hop for distance, the crossover hop for distance, and the 6-m hop for time during 2 testing sessions separated by 31.2 +/- 0.4 days. Reliability data for each of the single-leg hop tests were studied through a repeated measures analysis of variance, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and standard errors of measurement (SEMs). The ICCs ranged from 0.92 to 0.97 for the 4 single-leg hop tests. The SEMs for the single-leg hop tests that assessed the distance hopped ranged from 4.61 to 17.74 cm. The SEM for the 6-m hop for time test was 0.06 seconds. No significant differences were noted when the mean scores of the 2 test trials were compared by a repeated measures analysis of variance for any of the single-leg hop tests. These results indicate that the single-leg hop tests examined in this study offer strength and conditioning professionals a reliable method to assess the single-leg horizontal hopping capabilities of healthy, young, adult men, with intervals of approximately 4 weeks between testing sessions.     

Test-retest reliability of three different countermovement jumping tests

In studies of physical performance comprising muscle strength and power, a vertical jump is a test method that frequently is used. It is important to have access to accurate measuring tools providing data with high reproducibility. Studies have shown that body composition also may play an important part in physical performance. The purpose of this study was to determine test-retest reliability for 3 different kinds of vertical jumps and to correlate jump height with body composition. Thirty-four normally trained subjects (women n = 17) between 18 and 25 years participated. Test-retest, on 3 kinds of vertical jumps, was performed with a median of 7 days between jumps. Methods used were a countermovement jump (CMJ) on a contact mat, with and without arm swing, and an Abalakow jump (AJ) using measuring tape, with arm swing. Body composition was assessed with the use of bioelectric impedance analysis. The results showed that high intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were observed between testing occasions for all 3 vertical jumps (ICC between 0.48 and 0.88). The AJ in women presented the lowest ICC. Also the correlation between CMJ and AJ was high (rs = 0.88). Moderate-to-high correlations could be shown between body composition and CMJ in women (rs = -0.57-0.76). In conclusion, very high test-retest reliability for CMJ on a contact mat was found. For the AJ using a measuring tape, ICC were overall high, but a moderate nonsignificant ICC were found in women, indicating poor reproducibility. The data from the CMJ and AJ may be compared if approximately 25% of the AJ value is subtracted. In practice, this means that vertical jump tests have high reproducibility and can be used as measures of power development.     

Test-retest reliability of barbell velocity during the free-weight bench-press exercise

The purpose of this study was to calculate test-retest reliability statistics for peak barbell velocity during the free-weight bench-press exercise for loads corresponding to 10-90% of the 1-repetition maximum (1RM). Twenty-one healthy, resistance-trained men (mean ± SD age = 23.5 ± 2.7 years; body mass = 90.5 ± 14.6 kg; 1RM bench press = 125.4 ± 18.4 kg) volunteered for this study. A minimum of 48 hours after a maximal strength testing and familiarization session, the subjects performed single repetitions of the free-weight bench-press exercise at each tenth percentile (10-90%) of the 1RM on 2 separate occasions. For each repetition, the subjects were instructed to press the barbell as rapidly as possible, and peak barbell velocity was measured with a Tendo Weightlifting Analyzer. The test-retest intraclass correlation coefficients (model 2,1) and corresponding standard errors of measurement (expressed as percentages of the mean barbell velocity values) were 0.717 (4.2%), 0.572 (5.0%), 0.805 (3.1%), 0.669 (4.7%), 0.790 (4.6%), 0.785 (4.8%), 0.811 (5.8%), 0.714 (10.3%), and 0.594 (12.6%) for the weights corresponding to 10-90% 1RM. There were no mean differences between the barbell velocity values from trials 1 and 2. These results indicated moderate to high test-retest reliability for barbell velocity from 10 to 70% 1RM but decreased consistency at 80 and 90% 1RM. When examining barbell velocity during the free-weight bench-press exercise, greater measurement error must be overcome at 80 and 90% 1RM to be confident that an observed change is meaningful.     

A self-administered odor identification test procedure using the "Sniffin' Sticks"

Assessment of smell function in clinical routine is often limited due to a lack of time and/or costs of the personnel administering the test. The aim of the present study was to validate a procedure allowing for self-administered olfactory testing in a clinical setting. Seventy-four healthy subjects (13 male, 61 female) from 18 to 30 years of age (mean 20.3 years) were tested on 2 days (interval 7-21 days, mean 8.7 days) with 16 odors of the "Sniffin' Sticks" identification test kit. On one occasion, the test was administered by an examiner. On another occasion, subjects administered the test to themselves, with the odors being identified after they had been "painted" on a sheet of paper. No significant differences were obtained between the results from both test procedures. With a maximum score of 16, assisted testing yielded a mean score of 13.7 [standard deviation (SD) 1.3] while the self-administered procedure yielded an average score of 13.8 (SD = 1.5) (P = 0.72). The mean difference between the assisted and the self-administered smell test procedures was 0.05 (SD = 1.28). The 95% confidence interval of differences ranged from -2.51 to 2.61. These results suggest that odor identification with the Sniffin' Sticks can also be administered by the subjects themselves.     

Test-retest reliability of knee biomechanics during stop jump landings

Studies that seek to determine the effects of an intervention on knee biomechanics during landing from a jump implicitly assume that the variables of interest are reliable both within and between data collection sessions. Currently, such reliability data are not available for a stop jump. Standard three-dimensional motion analysis was used to determine sagittal and frontal plane peak angles and moments and peak vertical ground reaction force within and between sessions for a stop jump. Twelve female recreational athletes participated in two data collection sessions spaced two weeks apart. Interclass correlation coefficients and coefficient of multiple correlation were used to determine within and between session reliability of peak knee flexion angle, peak internal knee extension moment, peak knee abduction angle, peak internal knee adduction moment and peak vertical ground reaction force. Overall reliability within a session (ICC (3,1) 0.631-0.881; CMC 0.672-0.958) and between sessions (ICC (3,k) 0.685-0.959; CMC 0.598-0.944) was good. Peak angles and moments were similar between sessions. The stop jump is less reliable within a session than a drop vertical jump reported previously in the literature. This is likely due to increased intrasubject variability between trials due to the less constrained nature of the task. Reliability of the stop jump is comparable to the drop vertical jump between sessions. Reliability of knee adduction moment is lower than reported for the drop vertical jump. The results of this study support the use of a stop jump task to evaluate knee biomechanics during landing in longitudinal studies with a repeated measures design.     

Test-retest reliability, criterion-related validity, and minimal detectable change of score on an abbreviated Wingate test for field sport participants

Repeat measurements in 69 young adults were performed to assess the test-retest reliability and the 95% confidence interval of the difference in score between paired observations (MDC95) of a Wingate test as abbreviated for field sport participants (test of a 15-second duration [15-secT]). Test-retest reliability was excellent for peak power output (PPO) and mean power output (MPO), independently of their mode of expression and was moderate for the fatigue index (FI). The standard errors of measurement (SEM) for absolute, relative, and derived PPO and MPO values ranged from 2.6 to 3.7%, all being smaller than the corresponding smallest worthwhile change (SWC). In contrast, FI values were rated as "marginal," with an SEM (9.6%) greater than the SWC (1.7). The range of MDC95 values for PPO and MPO were 9.9-10.4 and 7.37-7.42%, respectively. The absolute MPO showed the highest test-retest reliability and was the most effective in detecting real change. A second phase of the study evaluated the criterion-related validity of the 15-secT in 43 young men who performed 15-secT and standard 30-second Wingate anaerobic test (30-secT) in random order, on 2 separate occasions. There were no significant intertest differences in absolute, relative, or derived PPO. However, the FI for the 30-secT was greater than that for the 15-secT. Intertest correlations were highly significant for both MPOs and FIs. These findings suggest that the abbreviated Wingate test offers a reliable and valid tool for the evaluation of PPO and MPO, at least in young physical education students.     

Evaluation of the validity of a maximum likelihood adaptive staircase procedure for measurement of olfactory detection threshold in mice

Threshold is defined as the stimulus intensity necessary for a subject to reach a specified percent correct on a detection test. MLPEST (maximum likelihood parameter estimation by sequential testing) is a method that is able to determine threshold accurately and more rapidly than many other methods. Originally developed for human auditory and visual tasks, it has been adapted for human olfactory and gustatory tests. In order to utilize this technique for olfactory testing in mice, we have adapted MLPEST methodology for use with computerized olfactometry as a tool to estimate odor detection thresholds. Here we present Monte Carlo simulations and operant conditioning data that demonstrate the potential utility of this technique in mice, we explore the ramifications of altering MLPEST test parameters on performance, and we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using MLPEST compared to other methods for the estimation of thresholds in rodents. Using MLPEST, we find that olfactory detection thresholds in mice deficient for the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel subunit A2 are similar to those of wild-type animals for odorants the knockout animals are able to detect.     

Test-retest reliability of EMG and peak torque during repetitive maximum concentric knee extensions.

The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of peak torque and surface electromyography (EMG) variable's root mean square (RMS) and mean frequency (MNF) during an endurance test consisting of repetitive maximum concentric knee extensions. Muscle fatigue has been quantified in several ways, and in isokinetic testing it is based on a set of repetitive contractions. To assess test-retest reliability, two sets of 100 dynamic maximum concentric knee extensions were performed using an isokinetic dynamometer. The two series were separated by 7-8 days. The subjects relaxed during the passive flexion phase. Twenty (10 men and 10 women) clinically healthy subjects volunteered.Peak torque and EMG from rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis and biceps femoris were recorded. RMS and MNF were calculated from the EMG signal. The reliability was calculated with intraclass correlation coefficient ICC (1.1) and standard error of measurements (SEM). The reliability of peak torque was good (ICC=0.93) and SEM showed low values. ICC was good for absolute RMS of rectus femoris (ICC>/=0.80), vastus medialis (ICC>/=0.88) and vastus lateralis (ICC>/=0.82) and MNF of rectus femoris (ICC>/=0.82) and vastus medialis (ICC>/=0.83). Peak torque, and MNF and RMS of rectus femoris and vastus medialis are reliable variables obtained from an isokinetic endurance test of the knee extensors.     

Neural correlates of contrast detection at threshold

Human psychophysical studies have demonstrated that, for stimuli near the threshold of visibility, detection of motion in one direction is unaffected by the superimposition of motion in the opposite direction. To investigate the neural basis for this perceptual phenomenon, we recorded from directionally selective neurons in macaque visual area MT (middle temporal visual area). Contrast thresholds obtained for single gratings moving in a neuron's preferred direction were compared with those obtained for motion presented simultaneously in the neuron's preferred and antipreferred directions. A simple model based on probability summation between neurons tuned to opposite directions could sufficiently account for contrast thresholds revealed psychophysically, suggesting that area MT is likely to provide the neural basis for contrast detection of stimuli modulated in time.     

Immunohistochemical detection of olfactory marker protein in tissues with ectopic expression of olfactory receptor genes

Olfactory marker protein (OMP) is a unique marker of mature olfactory neurons, which specifically express olfactory receptor genes. Widespread ectopic expression of olfactory receptor genes in numerous tissues outside olfactory system has also been reported, although the functional implication of this phenomenon remains unknown. We analyzed the presence of OMP in two rat tissues with ectopic expression of olfactory receptor genes (testis and circumvallate papillae of tongue) using immunohistochemistry. In testis, immunoreactivity against OMP was not detected. In circumvallate papillae of tongue, immunoreactivity was specifically localized to taste bud cells.     

Evaluation of accuracy and reliability of the plaque reduction neutralization test (micro-PRNT) in detection of yellow fever virus antibodies

Yellow fever is a disease caused by the prototype virus of the genus Flavivirus and remains endemic in tropical forest regions from Africa and South America, despite the availability of effective vaccines. These are capable of inducing a rapid specific immune response, with the formation of neutralizing antibodies that appear early, are protective and long lasting. The Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test is considered the most sensitive and specific test for quantification of neutralizing antibodies, and the reference method for assessing the protective immune response after vaccination. This study evaluated the reliability (repeatability and reproducibility) and accuracy (sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy) of micro-PRNT50 and compared its performance with the micro-PRNT90. Although the micro-PRNT50 has showed satisfactory levels of reliability (ICCs ranged from 0.62 to 0.NorNormas e Manuais Técnicosas e Manuais Técnicos6 for repeatability and 0.72 for reproducibility) and accuracy (sensitivity of 91.1%, specificity of 72.9% and overall accuracy of 78%), the micro-PRNT90 showed higher performance, with ICCs for repeatability ranged from 0.78 to 0.79 and 0.81 for reproducibility, sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 94.7% and overall accuracy of 95%. Modifications in the test methodology and changes in the classification criteria in the readings of the results obtained will be important to improve the accuracy of micro-PRNT.     

A simulation study of the reliability of recombination detection methods

There exist many methods to detect recombination or mosaic structure in a sample of DNA sequences. But how reliable are they? Four methods were investigated with respect to their power to detect recombination in simulated samples with different amounts of recombination and mutation. In addition, we investigated the impact of the shape of the underlying genealogy on their performances. We found that the methods detected far fewer recombinations than were theoretically possible and that methods based on the principle of incompatibility in general had more power than methods that did not make use of this principle explicitly. This seemed, in particular, to be the case for phylogenies generated under population expansion scenarios which result in long branches at the tips and small deep branches. In addition to the results obtained through simulations, a series of new theoretical results on recombination is presented.