Reliability and Validity of a new physical performance test: The Upper Limb Rotation Test

Abstract Purpose - Most of the functional tests were developed for the lower limb and described to be reliable and valid. Unfortunately, it’s very different for the upper limb and the few existing tests showed moderate reliability and validity. Objectives - The primary purpose was to evaluate the reliability of the Upper Limb Rotation Test (ULRT). The secondary objective was to evaluate the relationship between the ULRT and two PPTs (SMBT and CKCUEST), trunk rotation range of motion (STRT) and shoulder rotational isometric strength using the Self-Assessment Corner (SAC). Methods - A total of 91 healthy adults (46 men, 45 females; age = 21.27 ± 2.28 years, height = 1.73 ±0.08 m, bodyweight = 66.27 ± 12.72 kg). Interventions - Physical performance tests (PPTs) was used to assess upper extremity: ULRT, SMBT, CKCUEST and SAC method (a Hand-Held Dynamometer (HHD)) to measure isometric strength of IR and ER shoulder. The ULRT was performed twice with an interval of 7 days between the two sessions to evaluate the reliability Results - Results showed good reliability to excellent ICC values (0.57-0.85) for ULRT. Weak to moderate correlations established between ULRT and SAC (r = -0.214 to r = 0.455), ULRT and SMBT (r = 0.456 to r = 0.556). Finally, moderate correlations calculated between ULRT and CKCUEST (r = 0.505 to r = 0.615). Conclusion - Results suggest ULRT is reliable and appears to be a physical performance test useful to evaluate upper extremity.