Upper Limb Rotation Test: Validity and Reliability

via @physicaltherapyresearch on instagram

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INTRO:
Several risk factors exist for throwing-related shoulder injuries, such as:

Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit (GIRD).
Reduced total range of motion.
Scapular dyskinesia.
External/internal rotation strength ratio imbalances.

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Physical performance tests (PPTs) provide a a functional status of the athlete’s upper extremity.
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These PPTs are routinely used for:

Injury prediction.
Performance enhancement.
Post-rehabilitation outcome measures.

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Some PPTs have been developed for closed kinetic chain (CKC), such as:
Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST). -
and -
Open kinetic chain (OKC), such as:
Seated medicine ball throw (SMBT).
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Many PPTs currently used do not fully address specific requirements of overhead throwing, including:
A combination of OKC, CKC and a trunk rotation as well as 90°/90° shoulder position .
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To comply with this need, the Upper Limb Rotation Test (ULRT), may be better, as it includes:

Weight bearing.
Shoulder motor control and stability.
Involves the entire kinetic chain.
Places the shoulder in 90°/90° position.

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Decleve et al. (2020) test 91 healthy adults to determine the reliability of the ULRT and examined the correlations with two widely used PPTs:
CKCUEST
SMBT
-
and .
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2 clinical measurements:
Shoulder isometric rotational strength.
Trunk rotational range of motion (SRT).
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MAIN FINDINGS:
High relative reliability values and clinically acceptable absolute reliability values were found.
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The ULRT showed moderate correlations with the CKCUEST and SMBT.
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The ULRT is a good physical performance test of:

OKC
CKC
Trunk rotation
90°/90° shoulder position.

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CONCLUSIONS:

Very high intra-session reliability.
High reliability for test-retest.
Clinically acceptable absolute reliability.

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Moderately correlated with:
CKCUEST and SMBT.
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Poorly correlated with:
Shoulder isometric rotational strength and SRT. .
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Thoughts? Questions? Comments?
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Write them below. .
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SOURCE:
Decleve et al. 2020. The “upper limb rotation test”: Reliability and validity. There in Sport.
#physicaltherapyresearch

Dalton Urrutia, MSc PT

Dalton is a Physical Therapist from Oregon, currently living and running the performance physiotherapy clinic he founded in London for Grapplers and Strength & Conditioning athletes. Dalton runs the popular instagram account @physicaltherapyresearch, where he posts easy summaries of current and relevant research on health, fitness, and rehab topics.

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