Upper Quadrant Field Tests and Isokinetic Upper Limb Strength in Overhead Athletes

Abstract

Context: Isokinetic testing is used to determine possible deficits in upper extremity strength in overhead athletes. Given that isokinetic testing is restricted to a laboratory setting, field tests, such as the Seated Medicine Ball Throw (SMBT) and Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT-UQ), were developed to assess upper body performance. The relationships between these field tests and isokinetic strength have not been examined.Objective: To investigate the relationship between isokinetic strength testing for shoulder external and internal rotation and elbow flexion and extension and SMBT distance and YBT-UQ performance in overhead athletes.Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Institutional laboratory. Patients or Other Participants: A total of 29 healthy overhead athletes (14 men, 15 women; age ¼ 21.6 6 2.5 years, height ¼ 177.7 6 9.7 cm, mass ¼ 70.3 6 11.5 kg).Intervention(s): A Biodex dynamometer was used to measure the isokinetic strength of the shoulder and elbow muscles. Upper extremity performance was assessed using the SMBT and YBT-UQ.Main Outcome Measure(s): We used Pearson correlation coefficients and coefficients of determination to analyze the relationship between SMBT and YBT-UQ performance and the isokinetic strength variables.Results: We observed moderate to strong correlations between the SMBT and isokinetic shoulder and elbow strength (r range ¼ 0.595À0.855) but no correlations between the YBT-UQ and isokinetic strength variables. The shared variance between these strength variables and the SMBT ranged from 35.4% to 64.5% for shoulder strength and 58.5% to 73.1% for elbow strength.Conclusions: These findings suggested that the SMBT is a reliable, low-cost, and easy-and quick-to-administer alternative to isokinetic testing for evaluating upper extremity strength in a clinical setting. Performance on the YBT-UQ did not seem to be related to upper limb strength and, therefore, cannot be used for this purpose. Using the YBT-UQ for other purposes may have value.Key Words: shoulder, elbow, Seated Medicine Ball Throw, Y-Balance Test Key PointsPerformance on the Seated Medicine Ball Throw was moderately to strongly correlated with isokinetic tests for shoulder external-and internal-rotation muscles and elbow flexors and extensors in a sample of overhead athletes. These observations may provide athletic trainers and physical therapists with a reliable, low-cost, and easy-and quick-to-administer alternative to isokinetic testing for evaluating upper extremity strength in a clinical setting. Performance on the Y-Balance Test-Upper Quarter did not seem to be related to upper limb strength and, therefore, cannot be used for this purpose. Performance on the Y-Balance Test-Upper Quarter can help determine rehabilitation goals for injured overhead athletes because no differences existed between the dominant and nondominant limbs in the study population. Investigators should explore the value of these field tests for preventing shoulder injuries.

Upper-Extremity Functional Performance Tests: Reference Values for Overhead Athletes

“…The YBT-UQ was performed on the non-dominant (ND) side, followed by the dominant (D) side according to previously published protocols [2,15]. The dominant side was determined as the throwing side during sports performance.…”

“…ing), the functionality lays in the involvement of the entire kinetic chain in test performance. For open kinetic chain assessment, the Seated Medicine Ball Throw (SMBT) is often used to assess bilateral upper body strength or power in overhead athletes [2,9]. In contrast to laboratory tests, all of these field tests have the advantage of being portable, low-cost, non time consuming, and easy-to-administer [14,17].…”

“…In contrast to laboratory tests, all of these field tests have the advantage of being portable, low-cost, non time consuming, and easy-to-administer [14,17]. Moreover, these test have been proven to be reliable with ICC values ranging from 0.92 to 0.97 for the YBT-UQ [2], 0.85 to 0.96 for the CKCUEST [35], and 0.98 for the SMBT [2]. However, little or no normative reference values for these tests are available for overhead athletes despite the clinical need for cut-off values as criteria for return to training and return to play [7].…”

Factors Affecting Performance on an Army Urban Operation Casualty Evacuation for Male and Female Soldiers

“…The Dist analyzed was the best performance recorded. Distance on MBT is a relatively recent test used to assess upper body power and was reported to be a reliable, low cost, easy and quick-to administer alternative to isokinetic testing for evaluating upper extremity strength 22 .…”

Differences On The Upper Quarter Y Balance Test Among Young People

“…The conclusion of their study may suggest a sport specific normative data for the UQYBT in high school athletes. Borms et al (2016) investigated the relationship between isokinetic strength testing for shoulder and elbow and UQYBT performance in overhead athletes. Performance on the UQYBT did not seem to be related to upper limb strength.…”