Biomechanical analysis of the closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test in healthy young adults

Relationship between Upper Limb Functional Assessment and Clinical Tests of Shoulder Mobility and Posture in Individuals Participating in Recreational Strength Training

BACKGROUND

The upper limb is crucial for functioning in everyday life, thus comprehensive assessment is crucial for physically active people to monitor the effect of exercise and prevent injuries. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between upper limb function, shoulder mobility, and posture in individuals who participate in recreational strength training.

METHODS

Thirty-four subjects who engaged in strength training of the upper limbs were divided into two groups: Group 1 (exercise < 3 years) and Group 2 (exercise ≥ 3 years). Lateral scapular slide tests, head and clavicle posture evaluations, and shoulder mobility and closed kinetic chain tests were performed.

RESULTS

Group 1 had a greater flexion deficit in both shoulders than Group 2. There was greater external rotation in the non-dominant shoulder and a greater score of the closed kinetic chain test in Group 2 compared to Group 1. There were no statistically significant differences between groups regarding scapula, clavicle, and head posture. The closed kinetic chain test was correlated with a scapula position and symmetry in shoulder flexion in Group 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term strength training of the upper limbs can be recommended to improve functional abilities in the closed kinetic chain, increase shoulder mobility, and reduce asymmetry.

Scapular muscle endurance may improve shooting performance in air pistol shooters

BACKGROUND

In air pistol shooters, the number of studies evaluating the physical characteristics is very few. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of core, scapula, and shoulder girdle muscles endurance on performance in air pistol shooters and to determine the importance of the endurance parameters.

METHODS

Twenty-eight male air pistol shooters were included. The Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test, Upper Quarter Y Balance Test, Prone Bridge Test, Side Bridge Endurance Test, and The Scapular Muscle Endurance Test were used to evaluate the endurance of shoulder girdle, core, and scapular muscles. The relationships between endurance and shooting performance parameters were investigated.

RESULTS

A positive moderate correlation was found between the scapular muscle endurance test and the shooting performance (P=0.002 r=0.638). A significant regression equation was found for shooting scores (F(1.26)=11.975, P=0.02, R2=0.315). It was observed that the shooting score increased by 0.375 points for each unit increase of the Scapular Muscle Endurance Test. No statistically significant relationship was observed in other parameters (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, core and shoulder girdle muscle endurances were not associated with shooting performance. Scapular muscle endurance may contribute positively to shooting performance. An exercise program to increase scapular muscles endurance can be beneficial for the performance of shooters.

Reliability of Upper Extremity Functional Performance Tests for the Non-overhead Athlete

Background

While there have been reliability studies conducted on several upper extremity functional performance tests (UEFPT), there are several complicating factors that inhibit the ability to draw definitive consensus about the reliability of the tests in both females and males. Having reliability estimates for UEFPT in the same cohort facilitates direct comparison of their relative and absolute reliability.

Purpose

To establish the test-retest reliability of the closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability test (CKCUEST), seated medicine ball chest pass test (SMBCPT) and hands-release push-up test (HRPUT) in a cohort of males and females with a history of non-overhead sport participation. A secondary purpose was to examine the associations between the three UEFPT.

Study Design

Test-retest reliability, single cohort study.

Methods

Forty adults (20 females, 20 males) with a history of non-overhead sport participation completed three UEFPT during two data collection sessions three to seven days apart. Measures of systematic bias, absolute reliability and relative reliability were computed between the sessions. Additionally, correlational analyses were conducted between the three UEFPT.

Results

Only the UECKCST (both sexes) demonstrated significant (p≤ 0.003) second session performance improvements. All three tests exhibited excellent relative reliability (intraclass correlational coefficients ≥ 0.823) and except for the HRPUT in males, coefficients of variation were all below 8.8%. Except for a significant relationship (r=.691, p=0.001) between the UECKCST and SMBCPT for the females there were no other associations between the three UEFPT.

Conclusion

All three UEFPT demonstrated sufficient reliability. Thus, all three assessments can be used for serial assessments to progress a patient through rehabilitation as well as contribute to the criteria used in making return to sport decisions.

Level of Evidence

3.

Association of Selected Fitness Variables with Perceived Performance Levels in Lawn Tennis Players

Objectives Lawn tennis is an explosive sport that involves various fitness parameters such as explosive strength, endurance, power, and agility. Improved physical fitness leads to superior athletic performance. The coach's perception is contingent upon his perception of the player at the time the athlete is comparing himself to the coach. Thus, this study aimed to determine the association between chosen fitness factors and perceived performance by coach in lawn tennis players. Thus, the study aims to detect the relationship between different fitness variables and perceived level of performance in lawn tennis player.

Materials and Methods Fifty-two lawn tennis players from two sports academies were measured for various parameters of fitness and perceived performance level as rated by the coach.

Statistical Analysis The association between selected fitness metrics and perceived performance in lawn tennis players was investigated using Pearson's correlation test. Furthermore, the data were analyzed with paired t-test for male and female group, and ANOVA was used to analyze the difference between the levels of performance.

Results Fatigue index, closed kinetic chain upper extremity stability (CKCUEST) test, and peak power and energy expenditure taken by metabolic equivalent (MET) calculation was found to be statistically different between males and females. While comparing BMI with the peak power, there was a weak positive correlation for males, while for female there was no correlation. Metabolic equivalent, energy expenditure, and peak power were positively correlated with the level of performance; however, fatigue index and level of performance had a negative nonsignificant correlation.

Conclusion Peak power, fatigue index, energy expenditure, and BMI were found to be associated in males, but not in females. Peak power and energy expenditure were connected to performance in both genders.

Relationships between the seated single arm shot put test and Quick-DASH in patients being discharged from physical therapy

BACKGROUND

Research examining the relationship between patient reported outcomes (PRO) and upper extremity functional performance tests (UEFPT) in patients with shoulder pathology are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between the seated single arm shot put test (SSASPT) and the PRO Quick-Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) in patients being discharged from physical therapy after shoulder injury or surgery.

METHODS

Six physical therapists who regularly use the SSASPT and DASH from six different clinical sites provided SSASPT scores and completed Quick-DASH forms on 75 patients being discharged from rehabilitation following shoulder injury or surgery. Patients were grouped according to whether the involved shoulder was the dominant (n = 43) or nondominant (n = 32) limb. Three separate simple linear regression models, whole cohort and two patient groups, were created to determine the magnitude of the relationships (standardized betas) and change (betas) between DASH scores and the SSASPT limb symmetry index (LSI).

RESULTS

Neither whole cohort nor two groups exhibited statistically significant (P > .05) relationships between LSI and Quick-DASH scores based upon the standardized betas (-0.197-0.038). Additionally, neither the standardized betas (z = 1.49, P = .135) nor betas (z = 1.28, P = .200) were statistically different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study revealed no association between SSASPT and the Quick-DASH at discharge from physical therapy following shoulder injury or surgery. Consequently, it may be important to perform a battery of tests that include both subjective PRO and objective UEFPT tests to obtain a comprehensive perspective of the patient's functional and perceived status.