The Isometric Horizontal Push Test

27 Abstract 28 Purpose: To investigate the test-retest reliability and criterion validity of the Isometric 29 Horizontal Push Test (IHPT), a newly designed test that selectively measures the 30 horizontal component of maximal isometric force. Methods: Twenty four active males 31 with ≥ 3 years of resistance training experience performed two testing sessions of the 32 IHPT, separated by 3–4 days of rest. In each session, subjects performed three maximal 33 trials of the IHPT with 3-min of rest between them. The peak force outputs were 34 collected simultaneously using a strain gauge, and the criterion equipment, consisting of a 35 floor-embedded force plate. Results: The test-retest reliability of peak force values was 36 nearly perfect (ICC ~0.99). Bland-Altman analysis showed excellent agreement between 37 days with nearly no bias for strain gauge 1.2N (95% CI: -3, 6N) and force plate 0.8N 38 (95% CI: -4, 6N). A nearly perfect correlation was observed between the strain gauge and 39 force plate (r= 0.98, p< 0.001), with a small bias of 8N (95% CI: 1.2, 15N) in favor of the 40 force plate. The sensitivity of the IHPT was also good, with SWC > SEM for both the 41 strain gauge (SWC: 29N; SEM: 17N [95% CI: 14, 20N]) and the force plate (SWC: 29N; 42 SEM: 18N [95% CI: 14, 19N]) devices. Conclusions: The high degree of validity, 43 reliability and sensitivity of the IHPT, coupled with its affordability, portability, ease of 44 use, and time efficacy, point to the potential of the test for assessment and monitoring 45 purposes. 46 47 Keywords: Continues...