Single Arm Chest Pass to Determine Upper Extremity Strength and Power Asymmetries

Abstract

The chest pass is a commonly used upper extremity exercise and suggested to be a predictor of upper body strength and power. Chest passes are often performed bilaterally. However, many activities require single arm function. Therefore, it would be beneficial to examine the upper extremities unilaterally. For assessment purposes, the chest pass is often performed in either the seated or kneeling position. Therefore, it is important to establish expected outcomes for both positions. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation is to establish the reliability and compare dominant (DOM) and nondominant (NDOM) single arm chest pass performance using seated and kneeling positions. METHODS: After a standardized warm up, 41 (22 women, 19 men) healthy, young adults (19.9 ± 1.4 yrs) performed four single arm chest passes (SACPs) in random order, three trials each, using a three kilogram medicine ball: seated DOM, seated NDOM, kneeling DOM, and kneeling NDOM. Thirteen subjects participated in a second session 48–72 hours later to establish intersession reliability. The dominant limb was defined as preferred arm used to throw a ball. The distance of each pass was collected as a measure of performance. Using session one three trial average distance, a two factor ANOVA was conducted to assess interactions between limbs (DOM, NDOM) and positions (seated, kneeling). Intrasession reliability was determined across three trials of session one and intersession reliability was determined between the three trial averages from sessions one and two using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and standard error of measurement (SEM). RESULTS: Overall, the DOM limb (343.4 ± 97.3 cm, 95% CI: 312.7 – 374.1 cm) performed significantly greater (d = .40, P = <.001) than the NDOM limb (307.2 ± 84.3 cm, 95% CI: 280.6 – 333.8 cm). Participants also performed significantly greater (d = .69, P = <.001) in the kneeling position (356.6 ± 94.6 cm, 95% CI: 326.7 – 386.5 cm) versus the seated position (293.9 ± 87 cm, 95% CI: 266.5 – 321.4 cm). The intrasession reliability analyses demonstrated that all four passes were reliable (ICC, SEM): Seated DOM (.988, 10.1 cm); Seated NDOM (.988, 9.1 cm); Kneeling DOM (.991, 9.9 cm); Kneeling NDOM (.970, 15.3 cm). The intersession reliability also demonstrated a high reliability for each pass (ICC, SEM): Seated DOM (.989, 11.9 cm); Seated NDOM (.972, 15.2 cm); Kneeling DOM (.966, 20.5 cm); Kneeling NDOM (.988, 10.9 cm). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that a greater passing distance for the DOM limb may be expected in healthy individuals. The results also suggest that a greater passing distance from the kneeling position may be expected. In addition, the results suggest that the SACPs from both positions are reliable within session and between sessions. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Based on the results of this investigation, a bilateral asymmetry in passing distance should be expected when performing SACPs. The use of the SACPs could be used as a reliable method to provide guidelines for criteria in serial assessments and post-rehabilitation purposes. Moreover, the SACPs are inexpensive, easy to administer and highly portable. With similar high reliability reported for both positions, the kneeling position would be preferred as it requires less equipment and easier transition between subjects. Further research is needed to determine the sensitivity of the SACPs in identifying performance deficits and injury predisposition.