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Isokinetic assessment of the shoulder rotators: a study of optimal test position
Author(s) -
Forthomme B.,
Dvir Z.,
Crielaard J. M.,
Croisier J. L.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
clinical physiology and functional imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.608
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1475-097X
pISSN - 1475-0961
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-097x.2010.01005.x
Subject(s) - supine position , medicine , rotator cuff , reproducibility , concentric , reliability (semiconductor) , coefficient of variation , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , orthodontics , nuclear medicine , anatomy , surgery , mathematics , physics , power (physics) , statistics , geometry , quantum mechanics
Summary Background: Isokinetic assessment of the shoulder rotator cuff is a common component of shoulder muscles assessment. Nevertheless, the extensive mobility of the shoulder poses great difficulty in finding a consensus protocol for evaluation. Objective: To select an optimal protocol, among three, based on the best reproducibility and reliability of strength scores derived from internal and external rotator tests. Method: The dominant side external and internal rotator muscles of twelve healthy male subjects were evaluated based on a concentric protocol (60° s −1 and 240° s −1 ) in three different test positions: two in lying supine with the arm in either 90° or 45° abduction and one in the seated position with the arm moving in the scapular plane on the dominant shoulder. Subjects were tested twice over 10 days. Results: The two lying installations were associated with the lowest coefficient of variation (7·1–11·8%) and smallest detectable difference (7–15·9 N·m) for peak moment and strength ratios. Consequently, the lying positions were chosen for rotators assessment with 90° of abduction associated with a higher reproducibility for the agonist/antagonist ratios or 45° if some pain was provoked. In any case, the coefficient of variation did not exceed 12%. Conclusion: Based on a reproducibility and reliability analysis, we recommend the testing of isokinetic strength of the shoulder rotators to be conducted in supine lying, with the arm at 90° or 45° abduction in the frontal plane.