Influence of Anthropometry, Age, Sex, and Activity Level on the Hand Reach Star Excursion Balance Test

A preliminary study of the reliability and validity of the Posterior Standing Overhead Arm Reach (SOAR) test as a measure of functional hip extension motion

BACKGROUND

Current clinical tests do not provide a method to reliably measure closed chain hip extension. We developed the Posterior Standing Overhead Arm Reach (SOAR) test for this purpose.

OBJECTIVES

This was a preliminary intrarater and interrater reliability and validity study of the Posterior SOAR test as a measure of functional hip extension.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

METHOD

Hip extension on the Posterior SOAR test was measured with a standard goniometer independently by two examiners. The test was then repeated using three-dimensional (3D) motion capture. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to determine the intrarater and interrater reliability of the goniometric measure and Pearson correlations were used to assess the relationship between measures obtained via goniometry and 3D motion capture.

RESULTS

Fifty hips were assessed in 25 (14 female, 11 male) asymptomatic participants (mean age = 24.0 years, SD = 1.1). Intrarater reliability (ICC_2,3) was 0.80 (95% CI = 0.68-0.88) for Examiner 1 and 0.77 (95% CI = 0.64-0.86) for Examiner 2, indicating excellent reliability. The standard error of the measure (SEM₉₀) ranged from 2.5° to 3.0° with a minimal detectable change (MDC₉₀) of 3.5° to 4.2°. Interrater reliability was good with ICC = 0.65 (95% CI = 0.36-0.80). Pearson correlations were significant with low to moderate associations (r = 0.36, P = 0.009; r = 0.51, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Posterior SOAR test demonstrated excellent intrarater reliability, good interrater reliability, and low to moderate associations with 3D motion capture. The Posterior SOAR test has the potential to provide a reliable and accurate assessment of closed chain hip extension.

Anthropometric and musculoskeletal gender differences in young soccer players

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to clarify potential gender differences across a comprehensive set of anthropometric and musculoskeletal characteristics within a young soccer player population.

METHODS

This study included 227 (121 males and 106 females with mean ages of 19.0 and 17.5 years, respectively) young elite soccer players. Anthropometric measurements were obtained. In addition, general joint laxity tests assessing the wrist, elbow, shoulder, trunk, hip, knee, and ankle were performed. Muscle flexibility tests were performed on the iliopsoas, quadriceps femoris, hamstring, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles. Moreover, isometric knee extension and flexion strength and isometric hip abduction strength were measured. Single- and double-leg balance tests were also performed.

RESULTS

Male soccer players were taller, heavier, and had lower fat mass and percent body fat, and greater skeletal muscle mass and body minerals than female soccer players. Female soccer players had significantly greater laxity in all tests for general joint laxity. Female soccer players demonstrated significantly better hamstring and soleus flexibility than male soccer players but worse iliopsoas flexibility. Consequently, no significant differences were noticed in the quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles between the male and female soccer players. However, female soccer players demonstrated significantly weaker knee extension and flexion and hip abduction. The hamstring- quadriceps ratio was significantly lower in female soccer players. Although no significant difference exists in the center of pressure excursion in the double-leg balance test between male and female soccer players, female soccer players displayed a significantly lower center of pressure excursion in the single-leg balance test.

CONCLUSIONS

Young male and female soccer players demonstrate significantly different anthropometric and musculoskeletal profiles.