Validity and Reliability of Measurements of Elbow Flexion Strength Obtained from Older Adults Using Elastic Bands

PURPOSE: This study determined the validity and reliability of measurements of elbow flexion strength obtained from older adults using elastic bands. METHODS: Forty-eight community-dwelling older adults with documented functional limitations completed 3 assessments of elbow flexion strength: a 30-second test using elastic bands to generate resistance, a similar test using dumbbells, and a test using an isokinetic dynamometer. One week later, subjects repeated the 30-second elbow flexion test using elastic bands. RESULTS: The 30-second elbow flexion test using elastic bands was significantly correlated with both the 30-second elbow flexion test using dumbbells (r = 0.62, P < 0.01 ) and the maximum isokinetic torque of the elbow flexors (r = 0.46, P < 0.01 ). The 30-second elbow flexion test using elastic bands demonstrated a high degree of test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.89, P < 0.01 ). CONCLUSION: The validity and reliability elbow flexion strength measured with elastic bands supports its use among functionally limited elders.