The reliability of musculoskeletal screening tests used in cricket

Abstract

Objectives To determine the inter- and intra-observer reliability of a field-based musculoskeletal screening protocol used to measure potential injury risk factors in cricket fast bowlers. Design Test–retest reliability study. Setting High performance Australian cricket. Participants Ten volunteers. Two sports physiotherapists conducted the testing. Main outcome measures Participants completed the following tests: knee extension; modified Thomas test (hip extension and abduction); hip internal and external rotation; combined elevation; ankle dorsiflexion lunge; bridging hold; prone four point hold; and calf heel raises. Methods For each of the tests, the participants were tested by each physiotherapist twice, and the inter- and intra-observer reliability were concurrently assessed. Results The inter-observer reliability of the tests was generally poor, with only four of the ten tests having an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) greater than 0.80 (range of ICCs 0.27–0.99). The intra-observer reliability of the tests was considerably higher, with nine tests having an ICC greater than 0.80 (range of ICCs 0.56–0.99). Conclusions With the exception of the bridging hold, all tests would be considered acceptable where only one observer was conducting the testing. However, only the ankle dorsiflexion lunge, combined elevation test, calf heel raise test and prone four point hold have acceptable reliability when there are multiple physiotherapists recording measurements.