Reliability and validity of trunk accelerometry-derived performance measurements in a standardized heel-rise test in elderly subjects

This cross-sectional study evaluated the intrasession reliability and concurrent validity of trunk accelerometry (with force plate measurements) for vertical ground reaction force and external mechanical power recorded during a standardized heel-rise (HR) test in 54 elderly subjects (mean +/- standard deviation age 81.2 +/- 6.4 yr). Peak force as well as peak and average power revealed intraclass correlation coefficients of >0.75 and low standard errors of measurement for both the force plate- and the accelerometer-based curves. Correlation coefficients for these variables ranged from 0.95 to 0.98. The accelerometry-derived variables indicated significantly lower absolute values. Trunk accelerometry can be used as a reliable and valid tool for the quantification of the HR test in the elderly population. However, due to several limitations in the protocol, the use of this tool can currently only be recommended in a test-retest manner. Therefore, more research is needed to fully validate this tool for clinical use.