Comparison and reliability of three goniometric methods for measuring forearm supination and pronation.

Active supination and pronation range of motion of the right forearm by 10 men and 21 women were measured with a goniometer using three methods. For Method One the moveable arm was aligned with a pencil held in the hand; for Method Two the moveable arm was placed over the anterior and posterior surface of the distal forearm for supination and pronation, respectively; and for Method Three the moveable arm was aligned parallel with a visualized line connecting the distal ulna and radius. Supination range of motion was greatest for Method One, followed by Methods Three and Two, respectively. Pronation range for Method One was less than for the two other methods. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from .81 to .97 for three trials within the test session and from .86 to .96 between the test and a 1-hr. retest session for both actions using all three methods. Method One was the most reliable but appeared invalid for measuring supination because of movements of the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones. Methods Two and Three appeared appropriate for clinical application but not interchangeable.