Affiliations: [a] Gundersen-Lutheran Medical Center, LaCrosse, WI,
USA | [b] Physical Therapy Program, University of
Wisconsin-LaCrosse, LaCrosse, WI, USA | [c] Clinical and Research Services, Gundersen-Lutheran
Sports Medicine, LaCrosse, WI, USA | [d] Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Athletic
Training Program, University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, LaCrosse, WI, USA
Note: [] Graduate Physical Therapy Program, University of
Wisconsin-LaCrosse, 2036 Cowley Hall, LaCrosse, WI 54601, USA. Tel.: +1 608 785
8470; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Isokinetic testing of arm elevation in the scapular plane offers
several advantages over the frontal plane. The purpose of this investigation
was to determine the intraexaminer reproducibility of scapular plane
(30^\circ anterior to frontal plane) elevation peak torques
using a Cybex 340 isokinetic dynamometer. Twelve female and three male (N=15)
noninjured college students were tested on three separate occasions over a six
week interval. Dominant shoulder scapular plane elevation was measured with
participants seated utilizing a modified abduction/adduction protocol. Testing
consisted of four gradient sub-maximum to maximum warm-ups followed by five
maximum repetitions at 60^\circ/sec,
180^\circ/sec, and 300^\circ/sec.
Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) indicated that scapular plane
elevation peak torques may be measured using these techniques with good
reproducibility at 60^\circ/sec (0.870) and
180^\circ/sec (0.827), and fair reproducibility at
300^\circ/sec (0.708). Results suggest that scapular plane
arm elevation isokinetic testing should be conducted at slower
angular-velocities to obtain more reproducible measurements.
