Reliability of a flexibility instrument in mature adults and elderly individuals

Abstract

Measurement instruments should be analyzed according to their clinical
application and their scientific validity tested in different populations. The
purpose of the present study was to verify the inter-rater reliability of a Fleximeter in a group of 12 mature adults and asymptomatic elderly subjects using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Our results showed that the Fleximeter presented high inter-rater reliability for cervical spine rotation, hip flexion in orthostatic position, hip flexion with extended and flexed knee, dorsal and plantar flexion of the ankle, and knee flexion. The reliability of this instrument was moderate for lateral flexion of the cervical spine, forward trunk flexion, elbow flexion and extension, and hip extension in orthostatic position as well as ventral decubitus. Finally, lateral trunk flexion, trunk extension, and knee extension showed low reliability. According with the results of the present study it is not possible to validate the Fleximeter as a reliable instrument to assess the joints of the body. Our results have demonstrated that there was a wide
variation of reliability indices among the movements assessed, and the fleximeter was difficult to manage management. Therefore, it is recommended that other studies should be developed to technically improve this instrument and establish its reliability in a more diversified population.