Emre ŞENOCAK, Seda KARACA, Zubeyir SARI, Aysel Yıldız OZER
Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences - 2026;10(1):122-129
Purpose: The iliopsoas muscle complex is vital for lumbar stabilization, posture, and hip flexion, yet its endurance is often overlooked in clinical and research settings. This study aimed to develop and validate the Iliopsoas Endurance Test (IET), a cost-effective and practical method for assessing iliopsoas endurance. Material and Methods: Fifty-three healthy adults aged 18-38 years (91% female) were included. Participants completed the IET under standardized 80 derece hip-flexion conditions. In addition, hip-flexion endurance was assessed using an isotonic mode of an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex System 4 Pro). Intra- and inter-rater reliability were evaluated using ICCs, and criterion validity was examined by correlating IET repetitions with dynamometer-based endurance measurements. Results: The IET demonstrated excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.802 for Assessor 1) and good intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.701 for Assessor 2). Inter-rater reliability was excellent, with ICC values of 0.909 and 0.982. Strong correlations were observed between IET repetitions and isotonic dynamometer measurements for peak torque (r = 0.706, p < 0.001) and total repetitions (r = 0.629, p < 0.001). These findings support the IET as a reliable alternative to isotonic dynamometer-based endurance testing, particularly in settings where access to specialized equipment is limited. Conclusion: The IET demonstrated excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.802, p < 0.001) and good intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.701, p = 0.003), supporting its statistical robustness. The IET is a practical, reliable, and valid tool for assessing iliopsoas endurance, with potential applications in clinical diagnostics, rehabilitation, and performance analysis. Future research should explore its applicability across diverse populations and its role in long-term rehabilitation outcomes.
