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

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Abnormal scapular movement or malposition is frequently associated with shoulder pathology.
• The lateral scapular slide test (LSST) is a clinical assessment tool used to evaluate scapular positioning.
• The LSST involves measuring scapular position in three arm abduction angles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the lateral scapular slide test (LSST).
• To assess the reliability of the LSST when using a scoliometer for measurements.
• To determine if the LSST provides reliable data for identifying scapular malposition.

Main Methods:

• A test-retest, repeated measures design was employed.
• Thirty-three male subjects (18-34 years) were divided into two groups: those with shoulder pathology (n=15) and those without (n=18).
• Three experienced raters performed the LSST in three positions bilaterally, with measurements taken using a scoliometer.

Main Results:

• Pearson correlations for positions 1 and 2 ranged from .78 to .92, while position 3 ranged from .62 to .81.
• Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for position 1 and 2 were high (ICC(2,2) .87-.95), with slightly lower values for position 3 (ICC(2,2) .70-.82).
• Overall ICC(2,3) ranged from .83 to .96, indicating good to excellent reliability, though the standard error of the measurement (SEM) varied (3.00-8.26 mm), with greatest error in position 3.

Conclusions:

• The lateral scapular slide test (LSST) demonstrates reliability in assessing scapular positioning.
• While measurement error exists, particularly in the third position, the LSST offers a more objective assessment than visual observation alone.
• The LSST is a valuable tool for clinicians screening for scapular abnormalities related to shoulder conditions.