Relationship Between Seated Single Arm Shot Put And Isokinetic Shoulder Flexion And Elbow Extension Strength

Abstract

PURPOSE: Previous studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between isokinetic pushing force and seated single-arm shot-put (SSASP) test performance. However, there is limited research on the contribution of shoulder flexion and elbow extension strength on SSASP test outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between isokinetic shoulder flexion and elbow extension strength and SSASP test performance and compare limb symmetry indexes (LSI) between the two tests. METHODS: Healthy, physically active men (n=16, ages=21-34 yrs) and women (n=15, age=18-29 yrs) performed dominant (DOM) and nondominant (NDOM) shoulder flexion and elbow extension isokinetic tests (System 4, Biodex, Shirley, NY) at 60°/s (5 repetitions) and 180°/s (10 repetitions) to determine peak torque production. The average horizontal range from three SSASP (2.0kg ball) trials were computed separately for each limb. In addition to conducting correlational analyses between the peak torques and SSASP distances, the differences in LSI computed between each of the peak torques and SSASP distances were statistically compared at each velocity by joint analysis of variance. RESULTS: Significant (P<.001) relationships were revealed between DOM and NDOM SSASP performance and shoulder (r=.819 to .853) and elbow (r=.803 to .820) peak torques at both velocities. LSI for the SSASP (104.4±7.1%) were similar to the isokinetic LSI at both 60°/s (Elbow: 101.3±10.2%, Shoulder: 102.2±13.8%) and 180°/s (Elbow: 100.4±9.7%, Shoulder: 103.5±12.8%), with no statistically significant differences (P=.364 to .844, η2p=.001 to .028). CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate shoulder and elbow isokinetic torques are strongly associated with SSASP distances. Moreover, LSI for both tests were not significantly different from each other, thereby supporting the utilization of the SSASP for making bilateral comparisons in healthy individuals.