The Intra and Inter-rater Reliability of a Modified Weight-bearing Lunge Measure of Ankle Dorsiflexion

This study assessed the intra and inter-rater reliability of a modified weight-bearing lunge measure of ankle dorsiflexion range of movement. Thirteen healthy subjects were recruited. Each subject performed 3 repetitions of the lunging method with one rater and 3 more repetitions with a second rater within 30 min. The process was repeated within 3 h. Intra-rater reliability results indicated excellent correlation of measurements (intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) of 0.98-0.99). Standard error of measurement (SEM), 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and coefficient of repeatability (CR) calculations indicated suitably low ranges of measurement variance (SEM = 0.4 cm, LOA = ± 1.28 to ± 1.47 cm and CR = 1.21-1.35 cm). Inter-rater reliability was also deemed excellent (ICC = 0.99, SEM = 0.3 cm, LOA = ± 0.83 to ± 1.47 cm, CR = 1.44 cm). The modified lunge technique therefore demonstrates excellent intra and inter-rater reliability.