Context: : The belt-stabilized handheld dynamometer (HHD) has been used to assess the strength of knee- and hip-muscle groups. However, few researchers have examined its reliability and validity for assessing the strength of these muscles. Objective: : To evaluate the intra-examiner reliability of the belt-stabilized HHD and its validity and agreement with the isokinetic dynamometer for assessing the strength of knee- and hip-muscle groups. Design: : Cross-sectional study. Setting: : University laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: : We evaluated 26 healthy participants (13 men, 13 women; age = 23.5 ± 2.8 years, height = 1.7 ± 0.1 m, mass = 68.6 ± 12.4 kg) in 2 sessions using the belt-stabilized HHD and an isokinetic dynamometer for maximum strength of the hip adductors, abductors, flexors, extensors, internal rotators, and external rotators and the knee flexors and extensors. Main Outcome Measure(s): : We used reliability values provided by the intraclass correlation coefficient (2,3), standard error of measurement (SEM and percentage SEM), and minimal detectable change; correlation values comparing the belt-stabilized HHD and the isokinetic instrument using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r); and the mean difference in values comparing the 2 instruments using the Bland-Altman method. Results: : The intrarater HHD reliability was excellent for most measurements (range = 0.80–0.96; SEM = 1.3–5.3 kilograms of force or 4.8−18.9 Nm, percentage SEM = 7.0%–22.0%, minimal detectable change = 3.6–18.8 kilograms of force or 13.2−52.4 Nm) and was moderate only for bilateral knee flexion and left hip internal rotation (intraclass correlation coefficient [2,3] = 0.62–0.66 and 0.70, respectively). Correlation with the isokinetic dynamometer was moderate to high (r = 0.60–0.90), but the absolute values did not demonstrate concordance between results using the Bland-Altman method. Conclusions: : The belt-stabilized HHD measurements were reliable, and although they did not agree with those from the isokinetic dynamometer, the values were correlated for the hip- and knee-muscle groups.

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and to characterize the symptoms and clinical signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) related to each severity category of Fonseca's anamnestic index in a sample of Brazilian young adults (mean age 21.61+/-1.91 years, 87% females and 13% males), by the application of an anamnestic index proposed by Fonseca (1992) and by clinical examination considering mandibular range of motion and tenderness to palpation of stomatognathic system structures. A significant number of participants were classified with mild TMD (43.2%) and moderate TMD (34.8%). Pain frequency during mastication, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, and TMJ sounds were shown to be good predictors of TMD severity. Neck pain, headache, difficulty during mouth opening and lateral deviation, and tenderness to palpation of masticatory sites and during protrusion accompanied the TMD severity but failed to demonstrate differences between moderate and severe groups, showing a poor ability to determine TMD severity progression. This study suggests that not only the frequency of signs and symptoms of TMD should be determined, but also symptom severity and its relationship to the presence of clinical signs in order to discriminate patients with real treatment needs in nonpatient samples.

Key words: low back pain; questionnaire; STarT Back Screening Tool; rehabilitation; reliability