Intra-rater reliability of the combined elevation test and the weight-bearing dorsiflexion lunge test using telehealth in healthy athletes

BACKGROUND: Reduced mobility of upper and lower limbs has been associated with injuries in athletes. The Combined Elevation Test (CET) and the Weight-Bearing Dorsiflexion Lunge Test (WBDLT) are frequently used in clinical and research settings in face-to-face evaluations. However, some situations require physical distancing, and it is unknown whether those tests via telehealth are reliable. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intra-rater reliability, the Standard Error of Measurement (SEM), and the Minimum Detectable Change (MDC) for considering a real change on the CET and WBDLT were calculated for healthy athletes via telehealth. METHODS: 67 athletes (25 years, 73 kg, and 1.75 m on average) participated in this study. 37 athletes performed the CET and 50 performed the WBDLT (20 performed both tests). Reliability was assessed through two online evaluations (7 to 15-days apart). RESULTS: ICC3,3 ranged from 0.88–0.97 for the CET and from 0.95–0.98 for the WBDLT. For both tests, SEM values were low (< 8.9%) and the MDC90 was approximately 4  cm and 2 cm for the CET and WBDLT, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Telehealth-based findings relating to CET and WBDLT are reliable in healthy adult athletes and can be used to screen this population when face-to-face evaluations are not feasible.