Abstract
BackgroundHigh injury prevalence rates call for effective sports injury prevention strategies, which include the development and application of practical and reliable pre-participatory screening tools.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the one-legged hyperextension test (1LHET), the empty can (EC) and full can (FC) tests, the standing stork test (SST), the bridge-hold test (BHT) and the 747 balance test (747BT).MethodThirty-five healthy, injury-free male athletes (cricket and soccer players), aged 16–24 years, were evaluated by two physiotherapists. For each of the tests, the participants were evaluated twice (on two consecutive days) by each physiotherapist. Both the intra- and inter-rater reliability were determined. Cohen’s kappa (k) was calculated for the 1LHET, the EC and FC tests and the SST. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for the BHT and the 747BT. A confidence level of 95% (p ≤ 0.05) was applied as the criterion for determining the statistical significance of the results.ResultsThe SST presented with the lowest level of intra-rater agreement (ICC = –0.20 to 0.10). On the other hand, the EC test was the only test where one rater achieved an excellent intersessional agreement (k = 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.40–1.20). Substantial to excellent results for the inter-rater agreement for both sessions were recorded for the 1LHET (k = 0.70–0.90) and the BHT (ICC = 0.70–0.90).ConclusionReliability values need to be considered when making clinical decisions based on screening tests. A more refined description of the testing procedures and criteria for interpretation might be necessary before including the six screening tests investigated in this study in formal screening protocols.Clinical implicationConfirmed reliability of screening tests would enable sports professionals to make informed decisions when designing preparticipatory musculoskeletal screening tools and when dealing with the management of injury risks in athletes.Keywordsmusculoskeletal screening; injury risk management; intra-rater reliability; inter-rater reliability; soccer; cricket.
Highlights
In South Africa, soccer and cricket remain popular sports
Injury prevalence studies highlight that musculoskeletal injuries are inevitably a component in the career of the professional soccer (Naidoo 2007) and cricket (Stretch 2001:336) player
This reliability study was conducted at the sports fields of the cricket and soccer clubs of a tertiary institution
Summary
In South Africa, soccer and cricket remain popular sports. Injury prevalence studies highlight that musculoskeletal injuries are inevitably a component in the career of the professional soccer (Naidoo 2007) and cricket (Stretch 2001:336) player. Naidoo (2007) reported that over a competitive season, the majority (57%) of soccer players in a professional South African team were found to have sustained injuries. Stretch (2001) conducted a 3-year longitudinal study and concluded that cricketers tend to be more prone to lower limb injuries (49.50%), followed by injuries to the upper limbs (23.30%), back and trunk (22.80%). High injury prevalence rates call for effective sports injury prevention strategies, which include the development and application of practical and reliable pre-participatory screening tools
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