Comparison between methods to estimate bicep femoris fascicle length from three estimation equations using a 10 cm ultrasound probe

Ripley, NJ; Comfort, P; McMahon, JJ

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the reliability and differences between three fascicle length (FL) estimation methods when utilizing a 10-cm ultrasound (US) probe. Thirteen males (24.1 ± 3.8 years, 79.3 ± 14 kg, 179 ± 6.6 cm) participated. Bicep femoris long head (BFLH) US images were collected on two separate occasions. Three previously established extrapolation methods were utilized. Near-perfect reliability was observed for all methods. Criterion estimation resulted in a significant, trivial (p = 0.016,g = 0.17) increase in FL compared to the basic trigonometry equation with non-significant, trivial increase (p = 0.081,g = 0.10) between the criterion and partial measure method. The partial measure method was not significantly or meaningfully greater than the basic trigonometry method (p = 0.286,g = 0.08). Both alternative methods demonstrated unacceptable LOA (>5%), with heteroscedasticity. All methods of extrapolation are reliable and could be used over time. However, as methods are not comparable, there could be a rationale to utilize underestimated results to ensure a degree of cushioning.

Citation

Ripley, N., Comfort, P., & McMahon, J. (2022). Comparison between methods to estimate bicep femoris fascicle length from three estimation equations using a 10 cm ultrasound probe. Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science, 27(1), 43-50. https://doi.org/10.1080/1091367X.2022.2063689

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 5, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Apr 12, 2022
• Publication Date: Apr 12, 2022
• Deposit Date: Apr 20, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 13, 2023
• Journal: Measurement in Physical Education and Exercise Science
• Print ISSN: 1091-367X
• Electronic ISSN: 1532-7841
• Publisher: Routledge
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 43-50
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1091367X.2022.2063689
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/1091367X.2022.2063689
• Related Public URLs: https://www.tandfonline.com/journals/hmpe20