INTRA-RATER AND INTER-RATER RELIABILITY OF A MODEL-BASED IMAGE-MATCHING MOTION ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE IN MEASURING ANKLE JOINT KINEMATICS

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the MBIM technique in measuring ankle joint kinematics. Three cadaveric below-hip specimens were prepared for performing full-range plantar/dorsiflexion, in/eversion and relative circular motion between the shank and foot segments. A detailed skeleton matching protocol was given to two researchers and each researcher performed the matching five times on each specimen. Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were assessed with interclass correlation (ICC). The results showed excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC coefficient > 0.978) and excellent inter-rater reliability (ICC coefficient > 0.981). Therefore, the MBIM technique for analyzing ankle joint kinematics is repeatable and is a good motion analysis tool for sports science and sports medicine related research.