Comparisons of test-retest reliability of infraspinatus strength during wiper exercise with and without external fixation in individuals of scapular dyskinesis

Abstract

Background

The wiper exercise in a side-lying position is commonly used in clinical settings to assess the strength of the infraspinatus muscle. In addition, a reliable test of infraspinatus strength is important for individuals with scapular dyskinesis.

Objective

The purpose is to compare the test-retest reliability of infraspinatus strength during the wiper exercise with and without external fixations in individuals with scapular dyskinesis.

Methods

Thirty individuals with scapular dyskinesis participated. A dynamometer was utilized to measure the strength of the infraspinatus during the wiper exercise with and without external fixation applied to the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and spinous process of a fourth thoracic vertebra (T4). The intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC 3,1) were used to compare the reliability of infraspinatus strength measurement.

Results

The reliability for infraspinatus strength measurement was higher with external fixation than without external fixation. The ICC value during wiper exercise with external fixation was 0.99 (95% confidence interval: 0.96–0.99; P < 0.01), and the average strength was 7.35 ± 2.2 kg. In contrast, the ICC value during wiper exercise without external fixation was 0.79 (95% confidence interval: 0.49–0.93; P < 0.01), and the average strength was 5.86 ± 1.45 kg.

Conclusion

In individuals with scapular dyskinesis, the infraspinatus strength measurement during the wiper exercise with external fixation is recommended to improve the test-retest reliability.

Keywords

External fixation infraspinatus strength scapular dyskinesis test-retest reliability wiper exercise

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