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Background:Monitoring the volume of activity (i.e. pitch counts) and tracking upper extremity (UE) performance changes is common in overhead athletes; however, a lack of evidence exists for volleyball players.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in shoulder mobility, strength, and pain, along with UE swing count volume in Division I collegiate female volleyball athletes over a competitive season. Study Design: Observational, longitudinal studyMethods: Swing count data was collected during two separate days of practice during weeks 1, 7, and 14 of the competitive season. Perceived swing counts were collected after each practice from athletes and two coaches. Actual swing counts were tallied by retrospective viewing of video footage. Dominant shoulder internal (IR) and external rotation (ER) range of motion (ROM) and isometric strength, along with UE pain, were assessed on five occasions: baseline, in-season (weeks 1, 7, 14) and post-season (week 22). Results:Five Division I female volleyball athletes participated. Perceived UE swing counts among coaching staff were significantly correlated with actual swing count (r = 0.93 -0.98, p<.05), while athlete perceived swing count was moderately correlated and was not statistically significant (r = 0.64, p =.25). Shoulder IR ROM decreased from baseline to week 14 (-5.6 ± 10.6, 95% CI: -18.76, 7.6; p = .03), with a large effect size (d = 1.0). Large effect sizes were observed for increases in UE pain, shoulder ER ROM, and IR strength (d = 0.8 -2.3). An increase in shoulder IR strength occurred from baseline to week 14 (p = .001), but decreased during the eight weeks of post-season relative rest (p =.02).Conclusions: UE swing count estimates by coaching staff demonstrated higher correlation with actual swing counts obtained through video recording, as compared to volleyball athlete self-report. This cohort experienced increased shoulder IR strength and ER ROM over a competitive season. Shoulder IR ROM decreased during the first 14 weeks with a large effect size. Monitoring UE performance changes and swing count volume may have implications for injury prevention and program development for volleyball athletes. Level of Evidence: Level 2BFinancial Disclosures: Brandon Ness is an instructor for a continuing education company and receives honorariums for teaching courses related to sports physical therapy, is in the process of commercializing a rehabilitation measurement device with patent pending, and is the owner of a company which distributes rehabilitation resources.Kory Zimney is senior faculty with a post-professional educational company and receives honorariums for teaching courses related to pain neuroscience education and has published books related to pain neuroscience education for which he receives royalties.

Background: Ankle plantarflexion (PF) active range of motion (ROM) is traditionally assessed in a non-weight-bearing (NWB) position with a universal goniometer. However, a convenient, reliable, low-cost means of assessing functional PF active ROM in a weight-bearing (WB) position has yet to be established. Purpose:To compare the intra-and interrater reliability of PF active ROM measurements obtained from a goniometric NWB assessment, and a functional heel-rise test (FHRT) performed in WB.Study Design: Reliability study. Methods:Two physical therapy student examiners, blinded to each other's measurements, assessed PF active ROM through a NWB goniometric technique and a FHRT on all subjects within the same test session. Intra-and interrater reliability values were calculated using an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 2,1 , ICC 2,k ) and 95% confidence intervals. Standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) were recorded for each method.Results: 43 healthy participants (mean ± SD, age: 22.7 ± 1.7 years, height: 1.7 ± 0.1 m, mass: 77.8 ± 17.2 kg) completed testing procedures. The within-session intrarater reliability (ICC 2,1 ) estimates were observed for goniometry (right: 0.96, left: 0.95 -0.97) and FHRT (right: 0.99, left: 0.99), as well as the interrater reliability (ICC 2,k ) of goniometry (right: 0.79, left: 0.79) and FHRT (right: 0.79, left: 0.87). Goniometry SEM (3.3 -3.6°) and MDC (9.2 -9.8°) were observed, in addition to FHRT SEM (0.6 cm) and MDC (1.6 -1.7 cm). A weak correlation was found between FHRT and goniometric measurements (r = -0.03 -0.13). Conclusions:The FHRT was found to have good to excellent intra-and interrater reliability, similar to goniometric measurement. The lack of agreement between these measurements requires further exploration of a WB assessment of ankle PF active ROM. Level of Evidence: 2b

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Background: Balance deficits underlie a number of disorders and can exacerbate the primary condition if not addressed. Limits of stability, usually evaluated via force plates, can provide valuable information about balance and associated insufficiencies. A portable instrumented mat used clinically to measure gait characteristics has recently shown potential for limits of stability assessment. The mat also affords the ability to measure proactive control of limits of stability and quantitative information specific to stepping when limits of stability are exceeded. This study examined concurrent validity between the Bertec BalanceCheck Force Plate, an established instrument for measuring limits of stability, and the ProtoKinetics Zeno Walkway. Methods: A total of 51 adults (mean age 25.5 [standard deviation: 7.5] years; 72.5% female) without known disabilities leaned as far as possible in anterior, posterior, rightward and leftward directions while standing in narrow and natural stances on the force plate and walkway. Results: Pearson correlations for the force plate and walkway showed significant positive agreement for all directions tested in the narrow (r range = 0.657–0.878) and natural stances (r range: 0.928–0.936). Conclusions: Findings lend evidence of instrument interchangeability when measuring limits of stability. The results demonstrate evidence of concurrent and construct validity in support of the use of the Zeno Walkway as a measure of limits of stability.