Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of lateral scapular slide test in the scaption in healthy athletes men

Introduction:Abnormal scapular movements and position is related to shoulder dysfunctions. Lateral scapular slide test is used to determine scapular position in coronal plane; however, different studies have shown conflicting results for the reliability of the test in position of 90 degrees of abduction. According to the more functionality of scaption compare to the abduction as well as scaption is a familiar task for athletes, in current study, 90 degrees of scaption was used instead of 90 degrees of abduction and then the reliability of modified lateral scapular slide test (MLSST) was evaluated. Materials and Methods: Fifteen healthy overhead sport-men, aged 20 to 40, were recruited in the study. The minimal vertical distance between inferior angle of scapula and spinous process of T7 was measured by two examiners in one session and by one examiner in the next week using a caliper in neutral position (arm is relaxed at the side), 90 degrees of scaption and 180 degrees of elevation.Results: Reliability in neutral position was maximum (ICC 0.83 to 0.97, good to high). In 90 degrees of scaption, inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were 0.70 to 0.75 and 0.65 to 0.83, respectively. In 180 degrees of elevation, inter-rater reliability was 0.58 and intra-rater reliability was 0.84 to 0.89. Conclusion: 90 degrees of Scaption and 180 degrees of elevation, as a functional position in the athletes, may be used as choice positions in lateral scapular slide test