Reliability of Common Force Plate-Based Movement Screens in Males and Females

The purpose of this study was to assess the test–retest reliability, overall and sex-specific, of common injury screening tasks using commercially available force plates. Assessments included five repetitions of a weighted/unweighted squat, five countermovement jumps (CMJ), three plyometric push-ups (PPU), and three isometric mid-thigh pulls (IMTP). Testing sessions were separated by 4-weeks, completed by 44 healthy adults (24.3 ± 5.7 yrs, 170.2 ± 8.1 cm, 68.9 ± 11.3 kg, 28 female/16 male). Reliability of 20 routine variables across all tests was extracted from the force plates and assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement, minimum detectable change, and coefficient of variation (CoV) overall and by sex. Seventeen of the 20 variables demonstrated good to excellent reliability (ICC > 0.75), with questionable reliability for the others (ICC = 0.72-0.74). Reliability of only two variables differed significantly by sex (p < .05). All variables demonstrated acceptable CoV at ≤10%. Common assessments via commercial force plates demonstrate acceptable reliability for most outcomes and minimally differ by sex.