Purpose
To develop the Reverse Athletic Shoulder Test (RASH) and investigate its psychometric properties in a sample of healthy participants with amateur athletic involvement.
21 healthy physiotherapy students served as amateur athletes in order the newly-developed test to be assessed during two different sessions. External (ER) and internal rotation (IR) strength measurements along with the ASH test were evaluated during the first session in order the criterion validity to be established. According to previous literature performing dynamometry assessment of the aforementioned tests, standardised commands and protocol settings were followed throughout the whole procedure in order to maximize repeatability. A second examiner assessed RASH during the second session as for the test-retest reliability to be investigated. All testing was performed with the k-Force devices by KINVENT (hand-held & plates). Descriptive statistics and reliability tests were performed with SPSS (V29.0). ICC, SEM and SDD coefficients were calculated, while Pearson Correlation was used to investigate the associations the already valid strength tests of IR, ER and ASH..
Reliability of RASH proved to be excellent for both repeated measurements as the scores revealed for both examiners (ICC: 096-0,99). Inter-rater reliability was also excellent (ICC: 0.95-0,99) as was the test-retest reliability assessed by a single examiner during the two sessions. Finally, criterion validity varied from moderate (r=0,56) to high (r=0,85) against the control tests.
Considering its excellent psychometric properties, the newly-developed RASH test could serve as a promising tool during the return-to-play decision making of overhead athletes. The investigation of a larger sample size with more homogeneous sport characteristics matching the kinesiological requirements of the test would reinforce the more extensive use of the RASH.
The main implication of the study is the generalisability of the findings due to heterogeneity of the sample with regards to the various athletic activities undertaken as part of the amateur sport engagement as well as the differences of the athletic level among the participants.
shoulder
return-to-play
