The Reliability of the Upper Limb Rotation Test in Adolescent Male Basketball Players

The objective of the study is to examine the reliability of the Upper Limb Rotation Test in adolescent male basketball players aged between 14 and 16. According to the sample size calculation for the study, 51 athletes were included. The Upper Limb Rotation Test was administered to the athletes twice, with a one-week interval. The athlete was positioned in a plank stance with shoulder, elbow lateral epicondyle, greater trochanter, and ankle lateral malleolus making contact with the wall. The athletes were instructed to perform a 90° abduction and 90° external rotation of the shoulder, accompanied by trunk rotation for a duration of 15 seconds. The number of repetitions was recorded. The tested side was the upper extremity in which the closed kinetic chain position was maintained. The test was repeated three times, and the average of the results was calculated. The ICC (intraclass correlation coefficient) value, SEM (standard error of measurement), and MDC (minimal detectable change) values were calculated to assess the test-retest reliability of the evaluation tool. A low SEM value indicates higher reliability of measurements. The MDC value represents the smallest detectable change between two measurements. Differences below this value are considered practically undetectable or statistically insignificant.

Inclusion criteria

• Male basketball players aged 14 to 18 years old.
• The athlete must have been engaged in basketball for a minimum of 3 years
• Athletes should be training at least three days per week.

Exclusion criteria

• The presence of coordination issues to an extent that hinders the compliance with the physiotherapist's instructions.
• Having undergone any orthopedic surgery in the upper extremities or spine within the last year.