Principles of Dynamometry 2559

Many outcomes have been demonstrated to be associated with measures of muscle strength and capacity among many musculoskeletal conditions. Objective measurement of force output has become popular in clinical practice over the past few years. With the widespread adoption of dynamometers as an important clinical tool to assess muscle performance, a wide array of devices has become readily available. As more clinicians begin to utilize these devices, a thorough understanding of how to collect, synthesize, analyze, and interpret data becomes integral in the practicing clinician’s knowledge base. Further, a foundational understanding of the science of measurement, including concepts related to accuracy, validity, reliability, sensitivity, and error are important in the application of the results. The purpose of this presentation will be to review the principles of measurement related to the use of dynamometry to guide the clinical reasoning and decision-making process.