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

• Published in: Physical therapy in sport Vol. 32; pp. 212 - 220
• Main Authors: Møller, M., Attermann, J., Myklebust, G., Lind, M., Sørensen, H., Hebert, J.J., Nielsen, R.O., Bertelsen, S.L., Wedderkopp, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2018; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Athletes; Hand-held dynamometer; Handball; Inclinometer; Physical therapy; Range of motion; Scapular dyskinesis; Shoulder; Sports medicine; Studies; Inclinometer; Scapular dyskinesis; Hand-held dynamometer; Handball
• ISSN: 1466-853X; 1873-1600
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2018.04.005

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. Test-retest reliability and agreement study. Eight blinded raters (two for each assessment) assessed players on field during two testing sessions separated by one week. 162 elite youth handball players with or without a history of previous shoulder pain within the preceding six months. 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. 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. 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. •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.