Correlation between upper limb function and clinical measures of shoulder and trunk mobility and strength in overhead athletes with shoulder pain.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between functional performance and self-reported upper limb function and between these two functional measures and clinical measures of shoulder and trunk in overhead athletes with shoulder pain.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Settings: Laboratory.

Participants: Twenty-one volleyball and handball athletes (23.6 ± 3.7 years) with shoulder pain in the dominant limb.

Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported dominant upper limb function using Penn Shoulder Score and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; shoulder and trunk range of motion; isometric strength of shoulder, periscapular, and trunk muscles; endurance time of trunk muscles; and functional upper limb performance using the Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT).

Results: A moderate correlation was observed (r = 0.45-0.58; p < 0.05) between UQYBT performance and strength of serratus anterior, lower trapezius, trunk rotators, and trunk flexors. No significant correlation was observed between UQYBT performance and the other clinical measures of shoulder and trunk (r = 0.01-0.39, p > 0.05). Self-reported upper limb function was neither significantly correlated with clinical measures (r = 0.01-0.40, p > 0.05) nor with UQYBT performance (r = 0.02-0.19, p > 0.05).

Conclusion: We observed a correlation between UQYBT performance and strength of periscapular and trunk muscles.