Reliability of Synchronization Software in Measuring Tibialis Anterior Muscle Structure and Force: An Ultrasonographic Study

The present study was conducted to evaluate the intra-rater reliability of synchronization software so as to measure the Tibialis Anterior Muscle (TAM) structural parameters and force during contraction in healthy-nonathletes using ultrasonography and dynamometery in a synchronized way. This software was used in order to increase the ability of recording of pictures and data from ultrasonography and dynamometry synchronizingly.

In the present cross-sectional study, the reliability of measuring the TAM structural parameters and force with the synchronization software was evaluated on 15 healthy non-athletes, aged 18 -35 years, with BMI (23±1/8). An Ultrasonography B mode and a Dynamometer were used during three states of contractions: maximum voluntary contraction, electrical stimulation, and the combination of both in healthy non-athlete individuals. The Pennation Angle (PA), Fascicle Length (FL), and Muscle Thickness (MT) and Force (F) of TAM were measured in three states of contraction and then the measurements were repeated one hour later in order to determine intra-rater reliability. Interclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), and Smallest Detectable Difference (SDD) were used to evaluate the relative and absolute reliability, respectively.

The synchronization software was found to be highly reliable in measuring the TAM structures and force in three states of contraction (MVC), (ES), and (MVC) in healthy-non athletes. The ICCs for muscle thickness of TAM were 80%, 98%, 93%, respectively. For PA, the ICCs were 88%, 77%, and 75% respectively and ICCs for FL force in the three states of contraction (MVC), (ES) and (MVC) were 95%, 97%, and 91%, respectively. Also, the ICCs for F in three states of contraction (MVC), (ES), and (MVC) were 82%, 97%, and 91%, respectively.

Ultrasonographic measurement and dynamometry of TAM using synchronization software has proved to be reliable for measuring the structural parameters of TAM and force in healthy-non athletes in three states of contraction in a synchronized manner.