Reliability of ultrasound-measured muscle thickness of the longissimus dorsi muscle in Thoroughbreds

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 189-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Abe ◽  
C.F. Kearns ◽  
B. Rogers

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of B-mode ultrasound measured muscle thickness of the longissimus dorsi muscle in horses. Thirteen Thoroughbreds (5 colts, 5 fillies and 3 mares) had their muscle thickness measured by B-mode ultrasound at four sites; the longissimus dorsi (LD at 30%, 50% and 70% of back length) and extensor carpi radialis (ECR) muscle on two separate test sessions (T1 and T2). Paired t-tests revealed that there was no systematic bias in any of the muscle thickness measures. There were high intraclass correlation coefficients between the LD muscle thickness at 30, 50 and 70% of back length obtained at the T1 and T2 measurements (range: 0.95-0.98). The ECR muscle thickness was positively correlated to body weight and fat-free mass while LD muscle thickness at 50% and 70% of back length did not correlate to body dimensions. Our results suggest that ultrasound measures of muscle thickness of the LD and ECR muscles are reliable and repeatable when taken with the horse standing in a relaxed and evenly balanced position.

Author(s):  
Steffen Held ◽  
Ludwig Rappelt ◽  
Jan-Philip Deutsch ◽  
Lars Donath

The accurate assessment of the mean concentric barbell velocity (MCV) and its displacement are crucial aspects of resistance training. Therefore, the validity and reliability indicators of an easy-to-use inertial measurement unit (VmaxPro®) were examined. Nineteen trained males (23.1 ± 3.2 years, 1.78 ± 0.08 m, 75.8 ± 9.8 kg; Squat 1-Repetition maximum (1RM): 114.8 ± 24.5 kg) performed squats and hip thrusts (3–5 sets, 30 repetitions total, 75% 1RM) on two separate days. The MCV and displacement were simultaneously measured using VmaxPro® and a linear position transducer (Speed4Lift®). Good to excellent intraclass correlation coefficients (0.91 < ICC < 0.96) with a small systematic bias (p < 0.001; ηp2 < 0.50) for squats (0.01 ± 0.04 m·s−1) and hip thrusts (0.01 ± 0.05 m·s−1) and a low limit of agreement (LoA < 0.12 m·s−1) indicated an acceptable validity. The within- and between-day reliability of the MCV revealed good ICCs (0.55 < ICC < 0.91) and a low LoA (<0.16 m·s−1). Although the displacement revealed a systematic bias during squats (p < 0.001; ηp2 < 0.10; 3.4 ± 3.4 cm), no bias was detectable during hip thrusts (p = 0.784; ηp2 < 0.001; 0.3 ± 3.3 cm). The displacement showed moderate to good ICCs (0.43 to 0.95) but a high LoA (7.8 to 10.7 cm) for the validity and (within- and between-day) reliability of squats and hip thrusts. The VmaxPro® is considered to be a valid and reliable tool for the MCV assessment.


Author(s):  
Omolbanin Abaspour ◽  
Mohammad Akbari ◽  
Asghar Rezasoltani

Introduction: In Cervicogenic Headache (CGH), motor control of muscles is impaired and deep upper neck muscles (extensor and flexor muscles) become atrophied. In this research, thickness measurement of Longus Capitis (LCap), Rectus Capitis Posterior Major (RCPM), and Obliquus Capitis Superior (OCS) muscles were conducted and intra-rater reliability of the thickness measurement of these muscles was assessed in CGH and healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: Twenty subjects, including 10 healthy subjects (19-32 years old) and 10 CGH patients (20-35 years old) participated in this study. LCap thickness was measured at the level of C3-C4 in the supine position and posterior muscles (RCPM and OCS) thickness at the C1-C2 level in the sitting position. All ultrasound images were captured by a linear probe with a 50-mm footprint in B mode option and frequency range of 9-12 Hz. Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), Standard Error Of Measurement (SEM), and the Smallest Detectable Difference (SDD) were calculated for data analysis. Results: The ICC for thickness measurement of LCap was from 0.70 to 0.91 (good to excellent), for RCPM thickness was from 0.69 to 0.94 and for OCS muscle thickness was from 0.87 to 0.98. SEM values for LCap were between 0.08 and 0.25 and the SDD values between 0.22 and 0.71. SEM values for RCPM were between 0.22 and 0.43 and these values were reported for OCS muscle between 0.19 and 0.45. Conclusion: The results indicated that the presented position and the level of ultrasonography in this study are appropriate and ultrasound is a reliable tool to measure the deep upper neck muscle thickness in CGH and healthy subjects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 783-791
Author(s):  
Yusuke Yokota ◽  
Tomohisa Okada ◽  
Yasutaka Fushimi ◽  
Akira Yamamoto ◽  
Satoshi Nakajima ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To compare the absolute values and repeatability of magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) with 3000 and 1500 echoes/slice acquired in 41 s and 20 s (MRF3k and MRF1.5k, respectively). Materials and methods MRF3k and MRF1.5k scans based on fast imaging with steady precession (FISP) were conducted using a 3 T scanner. Inter-scan agreement and intra-scan repeatability were investigated in 41 and 28 subjects, respectively. Region-of-interest (ROI) analysis was conducted on T1 values of MRF3k by two raters, and their agreement was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Between MRF3k and MRF1.5k, differences in T1 and T2 values and inter-measurement correlation coefficients (CCs) were investigated. Intra-measurement repeatability was evaluated using coefficients of variation (CVs). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The ICCs of ROI measurements were 0.77–0.96. Differences were observed between the two MRF scans, but the CCs of the overall ROIs were 0.99 and 0.97 for the T1 and T2 values, respectively. The mean and median CVs of repeatability were equal to or less than 1.58% and 3.13% in each of the ROIs for T1 and T2, respectively; there were some significant differences between MRF3k and MRF1.5k, but they were small, measuring less than 1%. Discussion Both MRF3k and MRF1.5k had high repeatability, and a strong to very strong correlation was observed, with a trend toward slightly higher values in MRF1.5k.


Author(s):  
Michael J. Duncan ◽  
Darren Richardson ◽  
Rhys Morris ◽  
Emma Eyre ◽  
Neil D. Clarke

The present study examined the test–retest reliability of the Ghent University dribbling test and short dribble test in a pediatric population. Fifty-four boys aged 9–14 years (mean ± SD = 11 ± 2 years) undertook the Ghent University and dribbling tests on two occasions separated by 2 weeks. Intraclass correlation coefficients, coefficient of variation, and 95% limits of agreement were conducted for each test. Intraclass correlation coefficients and coefficient of variation indicated good to excellent reliability, and relatively small variability for both dribbling tests. The 95% limits of agreement indicated relatively little bias Ghent University dribbling test for both running alone and running with the ball components, and the Bangsbo and Mohr short dribble test. The results of the present study suggest both dribbling tests examined in the present study demonstrate good reliability and low levels of systematic bias.


Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1890
Author(s):  
Kyle Davey ◽  
Paul Read ◽  
Joseph Coyne ◽  
Paul Jarvis ◽  
Anthony Turner ◽  
...  

The aims of the present study are to: (1) determine within- and between-session reliability of multiple metrics obtained during the triple hop test; and (2) determine any systematic bias in both the test and inter-limb asymmetry scores for these metrics. Thirteen male young American football athletes performed three trials of a triple hop test on each leg on two separate occasions. In addition to the total distance hopped, manual detection of touch down and toe-off were calculated via video analysis, enabling flight time (for each hop), ground contact time (GCT), reactive strength index (RSI), and leg stiffness (between hops) to be calculated. Results showed all coefficient of variation (CV) values were ≤ 10.67% and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranged from moderate to excellent (0.53–0.95) in both test sessions. Intrarater reliability showed excellent reliability for all metrics (CV ≤ 3.60%, ICC ≥ 0.97). No systematic bias was evident between test sessions for raw test scores (g = −0.34 to 0.32) or the magnitude of asymmetry (g = −0.19 to 0.43). However, ‘real’ changes in asymmetry (i.e., greater than the CV in session 1) were evident on an individual level for all metrics. For the direction of asymmetry, kappa coefficients revealed poor-to-fair levels of agreement between test sessions for all metrics (K = −0.10 to 0.39), with the exception of the first hop (K = 0.69). These data show that, given the inherent limitations of distance jumped in the triple hop test, practitioners can confidently gather a range of reliable data when computed manually, provided sufficient test familiarization is conducted. In addition, although the magnitude of asymmetry appears to show only small changes between test sessions, limb dominance does appear to fluctuate between test sessions, highlighting the value of also monitoring the direction of the imbalance.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 818
Author(s):  
Nektarios Siachos ◽  
Georgios Oikonomou ◽  
Nikolaos Panousis ◽  
Georgios Banos ◽  
Georgios Arsenos ◽  
...  

Most cows experience a period of nutrient deficit during the periparturient period. Body condition scoring (BCS) is widely used on farms to assess body nutrient reserves and mobilization. The aims of this study were to: (i) determine the association of BCS with ultrasound measurements of backfat (BFT) and longissimus dorsi muscle thickness (LDT) during the periparturient period of Holstein cows from different herds, accounting for potential sources of variation, such as herd, parity and period relative to calving and (ii) establish reference intervals (RIs) for BFT and LDT per BCS estimate. Two-hundred and fifty-two cows from six commercial farms were used. Body condition scores, BFT and LDT were assessed at seven time-points during the periparturient period. Assessments of BCS estimates as predictors of BFT and LDT and the contribution of BFT and LDT to BCS estimates were performed with the use of linear mixed models. Reference intervals for BFT and LDT per BCS estimate were established with the Reference Value Advisor. One unit of BCS change was associated with 8.2 mm of BFT and 10.9 mm of LDT pre- and postpartum. Range of BFT and LDT in established RIs per BCS was wide with significant overlap. Both subcutaneous fat and, to a lesser degree, skeletal muscle reserves contribute to BCS estimation. Repeated BCS estimations credibly predict energy balance status in periparturient dairy cows. The metabolic state of muscle tissue should be assessed by repeated ultrasound measurements.


2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (5-6-1) ◽  
pp. 87-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Bahelka ◽  
J. Tomka ◽  
E. Hanusová

This study evaluates the possibility of intramuscular fat prediction in live pigs using two different ultrasound probes (3.5 and/or 5.0 MHz) at three various levels of total ultrasound intensity. One hundred and forty-five hybrid pigs were weighed and scanned one to three days before slaughter by device ALOKA SSD 500. Each pig was scanned by both probes but at different levels of intensity. Cross-sectional images of longissimus dorsi muscle were processed by video image analysis for prediction of intramuscular fat content. Day after slaughter a sample of longissimus dorsi muscle was taken for laboratory analysis of true content of intramuscular fat. Correlation coefficients between predicted and true IMF content were calculated. Better results were achieved by probe 3.5 MHz than 5.0 MHz. Statistically significant correlation was found between analyzed IMF and estimated one at intensity of 80 % (r = 0.31), less significant at intensity of 75 % (r = 0.20). After the improvement of accuracy of data proccessing and evaluation of sonographic images the ultrasound prediction of intramuscular fat in live pigs is feasible.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edem Korkor Appiah-Dwomoh ◽  
Steffen Müller ◽  
Frank Mayer

Static (one-legged stance) and dynamic (star excursion balance) postural control tests were performed by 14 adolescent athletes with and 17 without back pain to determine reproducibility. The total displacement, mediolateral and anterior-posterior displacements of the centre of pressure in mm for the static, and the normalized and composite reach distances for the dynamic tests were analysed. Intraclass correlation coefficients, 95% confidence intervals, and a Bland-Altman analysis were calculated for reproducibility. Intraclass correlation coefficients for subjects with (0.54 to 0.65), (0.61 to 0.69) and without (0.45 to 0.49), (0.52 to 0.60) back pain were obtained on the static test for right and left legs, respectively. Likewise, (0.79 to 0.88), (0.75 to 0.93) for subjects with and (0.61 to 0.82), (0.60 to 0.85) for those without back pain were obtained on the dynamic test for the right and left legs, respectively. Systematic bias was not observed between test and retest of subjects on both static and dynamic tests. The one-legged stance and star excursion balance tests have fair to excellent reliabilities on measures of postural control in adolescent athletes with and without back pain. They can be used as measures of postural control in adolescent athletes with and without back pain.


1991 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 989-999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Shaw ◽  
Truman E. Coggins

This study examines whether observers reliably categorize selected speech production behaviors in hearing-impaired children. A group of experienced speech-language pathologists was trained to score the elicited imitations of 5 profoundly and 5 severely hearing-impaired subjects using the Phonetic Level Evaluation (Ling, 1976). Interrater reliability was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients. Overall, the magnitude of the coefficients was found to be considerably below what would be accepted in published behavioral research. Failure to obtain acceptably high levels of reliability suggests that the Phonetic Level Evaluation may not yet be an accurate and objective speech assessment measure for hearing-impaired children.


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