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 0.98e0.99). Standard error of measurement (SEM), 95% limits of agreement (LOA) and coefficient of repeatability (CR) calculations indicated suitably low ranges of measurement variance (SEM ¼ 0.4 cm, LOA ¼ �1.28 to �1.47 cm and CR ¼ 1.21e1.35 cm). Inter-rater reliability was also deemed excellent (ICC ¼ 0.99, SEM ¼ 0.3 cm, LOA ¼ �0.83 to �1.47 cm, CR ¼ 1.44 cm). The modified lunge technique therefore demonstrates excellent intra and inter-rater reliability.