The inter- and intrarater reliability and agreement for field-based assessment of scapular control, shoulder range of motion, and shoulder isometric strength in elite adolescent athletes. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Møller, M.; Attermann, J.; Myklebust, G.; Lind, M.; Sørensen, H.; Hebert, J.J.; Nielsen, R.O.; Bertelsen, S.L.; Wedderkopp, N.
• Is Part Of: Physical therapy in sport. Volume 32(2018)
• Page Start: 212
• Page End: 220
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Handball -- Hand-held dynamometer -- Inclinometer -- Scapular dyskinesis; Sports physical therapy -- Periodicals; Sports injuries -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- diagnosis -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- therapy -- Periodicals; Physical Therapy -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; 615.82088796
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2018.04.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1466-853X

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: To investigate the intra- and interrater reliability and agreement for field-based assessment of scapular control, shoulder range of motion (ROM), and shoulder isometric strength in elite youth athletes. Design: Test-retest reliability and agreement study. Setting: Eight blinded raters (two for each assessment) assessed players on field during two testing sessions separated by one week. Participants: 162 elite youth handball players with or without a history of previous shoulder pain within the preceding six months. Main outcome measures: Kappa (κ) and prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) coefficients for scapular control reliability, and 95% limits of agreement (LOA) for ROM and strength agreement. Results: Scapular control demonstrated substantial to almost perfect reliability (κ 0.67 to 0.84, PABAK from 0.68 to 0.88). Mean strength values ranged from 0.9 N/kg to 1.6 N/kg, and LOAs ranged from −0.7 N/kg to 0.8 N/kg. Rotational strength revealed additionally systematic bias between and within rater. No or acceptable systematic bias were evident for ROM and abduction strength measures. Mean values and LOAs for ROM ranged between 39.9° to 52.3°, and from −12.6° to 9.9°, respectively. Conclusions: Scapular control and ROM can be assessed on the field with acceptable reliability. The threshold for reliable measurements of isometric strength using handheld-dynamometers is high. Highlights: Scapular control and ROM can be assessed with acceptable reliability in a field-based setting. Risk of injury threshold for ROM differences must exceed 5° to exceed measurement error. Using hand-held dynamometer for strength assessments should be used with caution.