Outcomes
Strength testing
At baseline and after the intervention, isometric strength
measurements were recorded for knee extension and hip
abduction, external rotation and extension using strap-mounted,
hand-held dynamometry. The test protocol was based on previous
studies by Rathleff et al13 for knee extension, hip abduction and
external rotation, and the short-lever hip extension test described
by Thorborg et al.17 The reliability of the strength measurements
was above ICC 0.88.17,18
Feasibility and adherence
For exploratory purposes, and to inform a future large-scale
trial on exercise dosage, the participants were asked to continually
fill out an exercise diary during the 6 weeks and had their strength
measured before and after the 6-week intervention. This allowed
for the association between self-reported adherence and objectively
assessed adherence to exercise to be explored. All problems
were recorded by asking the participants and the physiotherapists
to document all issues with the exercise monitoring system.