Author Identifier

Myles C. Murphy: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6068-1096

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

Physical Therapy in Sport

Volume

73

First Page

68

Last Page

76

Publisher

Elsevier

School

Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences

Publication Unique Identifier

10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.03.002

Comments

Travers, N., Murphy, M. C., Wand, B. M., Kirwan, P., Travers, M., Debenham, J., ... & Hince, D. (2025). The Victorian institute of sport assessment–Achilles is fundamentally flawed and unfit for clinical practice or research: A Rasch Measurement Theory analysis using COSMIN recommendations. Physical Therapy in Sport, 73, 68-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.03.002

Abstract

Objectives: Evaluate structural validity, hypothesis testing and measurement invariance of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Achilles (VISA-A) using Rasch analysis to determine if it can be recommended to measure Achilles tendinopathy severity. Methods: We performed an evaluation of the VISA-A measurement properties using Rasch Measurement Theory by pooling individual participant data from previously conducted studies (n = 217). Structural validity was assessed via threshold/category mean order; adequate item fit; unidimensionality; local dependence; internal consistency. Hypothesis testing was assessed via divergent validity. Measurement invariance assessed via differential item functioning. Results: The VISA-A has inadequate construct validity. This is evident from issues with item 8 and insufficient threshold order, item fit, borderline internal consistency and measurement invariance, with item response being influenced by both age and BMI. Conclusion: The VISA-A has inadequate structural validity, borderline internal consistency and poor measurement invariance. Thus, the VISA-A does not meet with COSMIN criteria for construct validity due to issues with structural validity and measurement invariance. Thus, the VISA-A cannot be recommended for use, and should not be used in clinical practice or research. However, if the VISA-A has been used, analysis using only items 1–6, with responses collapsed into a 4-point scale provides the best structural validity.

DOI

10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.03.002

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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