The Single Leg Bridge Test does not replace handheld dynamometer hamstring tests in a clinical setting

• Published in: Physical therapy in sport 2023-09, Vol.63, p.126-131
• Main Authors: Robaina, Bruno de Quadros, Medeiros, Diulian Muniz, Roberti, Lucas de Souza, Franke, Rodrigo de Azevedo, Baroni, Bruno Manfredini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Australian football; Clinical test; Data collection; Exercise; Knee flexor; Muscle strength; Physical therapy; Rehabilitation; Soccer; Sports medicine; Strength; Volunteers; Warm up (exercise)
• ISSN: 1466-853X; 1873-1600
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2023.08.001

To examine the correlation of Single Leg Bridge Test (SLBT) scores with maximum isometric strength values obtained in handheld dynamometer (HHD) hamstring tests performed in a clinical setting. Cross-sectional study. Physical therapy clinic. Fifty healthy and physically active men. Correlation between SLBT scores and force values found in three HHD hamstring tests: test ‘A’, volunteer in prone with hip in neutral position and the knee flexed at ∼90°; test ‘B’, volunteer in supine with hip and knee flexed at ∼90°; and test ‘C’, volunteer in the same position used to perform the SLBT. The volunteers' SLBT score was 27.55 ± 7.81 repetitions. The SLBT scores were poorly associated with mean (r = 0.246) and peak (r = 0.321) results provided by HHD test ‘A’. There were no significant correlations between the SLBT scores and mean or peak values obtained in tests ‘B’ and ‘C’ (p > 0.05). Similarly, the SLBT between-limb asymmetry was not associated with asymmetries found in HHD hamstring tests (p > 0.05). HHD hamstring tests should not be replaced by the SLBT. We recommend for clinicians to applying such tests in a complementary way to assess the hamstring's functional status. •SLBT is sometimes advocated as a clinical test to assess hamstring muscle strength.•We evidenced that SLBT score is not associated with force values from HHD hamstring tests performed in a clinical setting.•Between-limb asymmetry provided by SLBT is also not associated with asymmetry provided by HHD hamstring tests.•Therefore, clinicians should not replace HHD hamstring tests by the SLBT.