Influence of familiarization on maximum strength testing in male individuals with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND: Familiarization is a fundamental step for a proper maximum strength testing. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding familiarization protocols suitable for isokinetic assessment in men with spinal cord injury (SCI). OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare different familiarization protocols (sessions and sets) and their influences on a maximum isokinetic strength test in individuals with SCI. METHODS: Thirty-six men with SCI were enrolled and were randomly assigned to one of three groups that performed one (F1set), two (F2set) or three (F3set) sets of familiarization on an isokinetic dynamometer. Each group repeated familiarization and maximum strength tests on three different days (D1, D2 and D3) with 48 to 72-hour intervals. Multiple one-way analysis of variance was performed to compare the familiarization protocols. For measurement agreement, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) with Bland-Altman plots were used. RESULTS: F2set had no statistically difference in peak torque between testing days, or between F1set and F3set. F1set and F3set differed between days for shoulder abduction and extension. ICC was significant and high (ICC - 3/4 0.91; P- 1/2 0.01) comparing D1 and D3 for all. CONCLUSIONS: One familiarization session composed by 2 sets of submaximal exercise could be adopted as a suitable protocol prior to a maximal strength testing in men with SCI.