A Comparison of Two Positions for Assessing Shoulder Rotator Peak Torque: The Traditional Frontal Plane Versus the Plane of the Scapula

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hellwig, Evan V.^{a; *} | Perrin, David H.^a

Affiliations: [a] University of Virginia

Note: [*] Address reprint requests to Evan V. Hellwig, PT, ATC, Memorial Gymnasium Room 203, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22903.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare glenohumeral internal and external rotation concentric and eccentric peak torque values when assessed from both the frontal and scapular planes. Twenty-one men (mean age = 21.4 years, mean height = 180.47 cm, mean weight = 80.8 kg) had their nondominant shoulder isokinetically tested for shoulder concentric and eccentric internal and external rotator strength at 60 deg/sec. Subjects were tested in both the frontal and scapular planes in randomly assigned order during one test session. Eleven subjects returned 1 week later for an identical retest session to establish the reliability of the procedure (r = .76–.94). No differences were found in concentric and eccentric peak torque values between planes for either shoulder internal or external rotation (p > .05). Analysis of variance indicated that eccentric values were greater than concentric values and internal rotation values were greater than external rotation values in both planes. Because there may be some anatomical advantage to testing in the scapular plane, clinicians should consider placing patients in the scapular plane when testing shoulder rotator peak torque.

Keywords: Scapular plane, internal/external rotation, peak torque, concentric/eccentric

DOI: 10.3233/IES-1991-1405

Journal: Isokinetics and Exercise Science, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 202-206, 1991