The coefficient of variation as a measure of sincerity of effort of grip strength, Part II: sensitivity and specificity.

The coefficient of variation (CV) is commonly used to detect sincerity of effort. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the CV possessed adequate sensitivity and specificity to effectively detect sincerity of effort of grip strength. One hundred forty-six uninjured volunteers underwent a series of grip strength tests. Sensitivity and specificity values were calculated for various CV cut-off values (between 2.5% and 22%) of the static grip test. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves based on these values demonstrated the trade-offs between specificity and sensitivity. For example, the "traditional" 15% cut-off value yielded poor sensitivity (0.55), whereas the 11% cut-off value yielded poor specificity (0.74). Selecting any cut-off value along the continuum did not provide adequate sensitivity or specificity for labeling an effort sincere or insincere. Although the CV differentiated between maximal and submaximal effort, it was not sensitive or specific enough to do so effectively. Thus, the CV should not be used to assess sincerity of effort of grip strength.