Reliability of Upper-Extremity Muscle Activity and Kinematics During Adaptive Rowing

Abstract

Context: The purpose of this study was to determine test–retest reliability of upper-extremity muscle activity and kinematics during submaximal adapted rowing. Design: A repeated-measures design was used. Methods: Data were collected on 10 individuals (7 male and 3 female) with mobility impairment. Surface electromyography of muscles of the dominant arm (upper, middle, and lower trapezius, anterior and posterior deltoid, latissimus dorsi, and infraspinatus) was acquired. Muscle activity was analyzed using the area under the curve, peak amplitude, and mean amplitude. Kinematic analysis determined joint motions for shoulder plane and angle of elevation, and trunk flexion/extension, and rotation at the catch (0%) and finish (100%) of the stroke. Three submaximal rowing trials (20 strokes each) were completed with the middle 10 strokes of each trial averaged for analysis. Results: An interclass correlation coefficient (3, 10) determined test–retest reliability across trials (interclass correlation coefficient defined as poor < .5; moderate .5–.75; and good .75–.9). Moderate to excellent reliability existed across all muscles for the area under the curve, peak amplitude, and mean amplitude. Excellent reliability was seen for all kinematic measures. Conclusion: Results indicate upper-extremity muscle activity and kinematics of the adapted rowing stroke are reliable in a diverse group of individuals with mobility impairment.