The present study aimed to assess the dependability of MicroFET3 hand-held dynamometry (HHD) in young football players, thus establishing a relevant foundation for the utilization of HHD as a standardized tool for injury prevention and training monitoring in youth football players. A total of 37 young football players from Beijing Yi-Cheng BTV Football Club were selected as subjects. One muscle strength test for hip flexor, extensor, adductor, abductor, and knee flexor and extensor of subjects was conducted by Tester A and Tester B using HHD. Tester A repeated the test a day later. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), the standard error of measurement (SEM) and smallest detectable difference (SDD) were computed. The results indicated that for the same tester, the test-retest reliability was excellent (ICC=0.84-0.96), with SEM ranging from 1.45-5.95 and SDD ranging from 4.01-16.49 (kg). For different testers, the inter-tester reliability was also excellent (ICC=0.85-0.97), with SEM ranging from 1.12-5.54 and SDD ranging from 3.09-15.34 (kg). This paper shows MicroFET3 HHD demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability and inter-test reliability in lower limb muscle strength tests of young football players.
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