Reliability, minimal detectable change, and standard error of measurement of functional tests for athletes: A systematic review

IF 1.5 Q3 ORTHOPEDICS

Journal of orthopaedics Pub Date : 2025-08-18 DOI:10.1016/j.jor.2025.08.030

Thiago Teixeira Serafim , Ana Paula Ramos , Diego Ailton Prudêncio , Filippo Migliorini , Nicola Maffulli , Rodrigo Okubo

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Functional tests must be validated for the target population. It is also important that the professionals applying them know which tests are the most reliable. Some tests have a standard error of measurement (SEM), which needs to be considered, as does the minimal detectable change (MDC) used to quantitatively perceive clinical improvement. It is important to know the psychometric properties of a functional test to consider it suitable for its use. This study aims to synthesise values of psychometric properties of functional tests in validation studies for athletic or physically active populations.

Methods

This systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, SportDiscus and Cochrane in June 2025. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated by the Consensus-based Standards for Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) Risk of Bias checklist.

Results

The final review included 49 studies. The study samples ranged from 11 to 243, totalling 1713 subjects. The mean age of the subjects studied ranged from 16.47 ± 0.51 to 59.40 ± 8.70 years. The reliability values verified by ICC ranged from 0.26 to 0.99. SEM and MDC values were delivered in percentages and absolute values. All studies evaluated using the COSMIN checklist were classified as “Inadequate.”

Conclusion

Functional tests used to assess athletes generally have good reliability values. However, standardisation in the application is necessary. The training of professionals who administer the tests is essential for greater reliability. Furthermore, greater stabilisation of the subject being evaluated is necessary for strength tests to reduce compensations during the test.

Level of evidence

I – Systematic review.

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可靠性、最小可检测变化和运动员功能测试测量的标准误差：系统回顾

功能测试必须针对目标人群进行验证。同样重要的是，应用它们的专业人员知道哪些测试是最可靠的。一些测试有标准测量误差（SEM），这需要考虑，用于定量感知临床改善的最小可检测变化（MDC）也是如此。了解功能测试的心理测量特性是很重要的，这样才能考虑它是否适合使用。本研究的目的是综合价值的心理测量特性的功能测试验证研究为运动或体力活动的人群。方法本系统评价遵循系统评价和荟萃分析首选报告项目（PRISMA）。该搜索于2025年6月在PubMed， Web of Science， SportDiscus和Cochrane进行。纳入研究的方法学质量通过基于共识的健康测量仪器标准（COSMIN）偏倚风险检查表进行评估。结果最终纳入49项研究。研究样本从11个到243个不等，共计1713名受试者。研究对象平均年龄为16.47±0.51 ~ 59.40±8.70岁。经ICC验证的信度值为0.26 ~ 0.99。SEM和MDC值以百分比和绝对值表示。所有使用COSMIN检查表评估的研究都被归类为“不充分”。结论功能测试对运动员的评价具有良好的信度值。然而，应用程序的标准化是必要的。培训管理测试的专业人员对于提高可靠性至关重要。此外，为了减少测试期间的补偿，被评估对象的更大稳定性对于强度测试是必要的。证据水平i -系统评价。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of orthopaedics ORTHOPEDICS-

CiteScore

3.50

自引率

6.70%

发文量

202

审稿时长

56 days

期刊介绍： Journal of Orthopaedics aims to be a leading journal in orthopaedics and contribute towards the improvement of quality of orthopedic health care. The journal publishes original research work and review articles related to different aspects of orthopaedics including Arthroplasty, Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, Trauma, Spine and Spinal deformities, Pediatric orthopaedics, limb reconstruction procedures, hand surgery, and orthopaedic oncology. It also publishes articles on continuing education, health-related information, case reports and letters to the editor. It is requested to note that the journal has an international readership and all submissions should be aimed at specifying something about the setting in which the work was conducted. Authors must also provide any specific reasons for the research and also provide an elaborate description of the results.