Reliability of Upper Extremity Functional Performance Tests for the Non-overhead Athlete.
Bryan L Riemann, George J Davies
PMID 37795324WHAT IT FOUND
Three upper extremity tests showed excellent consistency when repeated in healthy athletes.
The seated medicine ball and stability tests were very reliable. The hands-release push-up test was less consistent in males, so interpret changes in that group with extra care.
Key findings
01All three tests demonstrated excellent relative reliability, with females showing slightly better consistency than males.
02The hands-release push-up test exceeded the acceptable threshold for variability in males, indicating lower absolute reliability for that group.
03Athletes typically improve by one to two touches on the stability test upon retesting, so clinicians must account for this learning effect.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study only included healthy athletes, so reliability in injured populations is unknown. The sample size was small (20 per sex), which widens the confidence intervals and reduces precision, especially for males. The participants engaged in various non-overhead sports, which may introduce variability in upper body strength and skill that affects test consistency.
Declared interests
The authors report no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume a small improvement in the stability test indicates healing. Most athletes improve by one to two touches simply because they have done the test before. A change must exceed the minimal detectable difference to be considered real.