A Novel Method of Assessing Trunk Lateral-Flexion Range of Movement in First-Class Cricket Players

Context Lateral-flexion range of movement (LF ROM) is used to assess and monitor recovery of side strain injury in athletes. Objective To establish a reliable and pragmatic measure of LF ROM and investigate the stability of the measure over time in athletes. Design (1) Cross-sectional reliability study and (2) cohort longitudinal study. Setting Elite cricket teams in Australia and England. Patients or Other Participants Ten healthy first-class cricket players recruited from Australia and England domestic and international competitions. Main Outcome Measures (1) The intrarater and interrater reliability of 2 methods of measuring LF ROM toward and away from the bowling arm was assessed (distance to the floor or distance to the fibular head). Three experienced physiotherapists obtained the measures. Intraclass correlations [2,1] were calculated for absolute agreement for all 3 testers. (2) Lateral-flexion ROM was measured monthly during the preseason and competitive season. A 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed to identify differences within the preseason, within the competitive season, and between competitive seasons. Results Both methods had good intratest and intertest reliability (intraclass correlations > 0.84). As LF ROM measurement to the floor was easier for clinicians, it was used for the longitudinal study. Lateral-flexion ROM did not alter throughout the preseason and competitive season or between seasons (P values > .05). Conclusions This new method of measuring LF ROM demonstrated good intrarater and interrater reliability and stability over time and can be used as an outcome measure in side strain injury.