The Lateral Scapular Slide Test: A Reliability Study of Males with and without Shoulder Pathology

Abstract

Background: Abnormal scapular movement or malposition is related to shoulder pathology. The lateral scapular slide test (LSST) is used to determine scapular position with the arm abducted in three positions.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the reliability of the LSST using a scoliometer.

Methods: Thirty-three male subjects (18 to 34 years) participated in this study. Group one (n=15) had shoulder pathology; Group two (n=18) did not have pathology. A test-retest, repeated measures design, with three experienced raters and the three positions of the LSST, was used to test the reliability of the LSST. All measurements in each position were taken bilaterally.

Results: Pearson Correlations for Position 1 and 2 ranged from .78 to .92 whereas position 3 ranged from .62 to .81. The ICC (2,2) ranged from .87 to .95 for positions 1 and 2. ICC (2,2) ranged from .70 to.82 for positions 3. Overall ICC (2,3) ranged from .83 to .96. The coefficients of determination ranged from .38 to .89. The SEM ranged from 3.00 to 8.26 mm, with the largest error found in position 3.

Discussion and conclusion: The LSST can be reliable in screening scapular position. Although a large range of error exists in measurements as indicated by the standard error of the measurement, the LSST provides more objective measures than pure observation.

Figures

Figure 1.

Scoliometer used in data collection that had been machined tooled to allow measurement data to the nearest millimeter.

Figure 2.

Test position 1 standing in dependent position.

Figure 3.

Test position 2 with arms resting on hips with thumbs posterior.

Figure 4.

Test position 3 with arms abducted 90 degrees with full shoulder internal rotation.