Validity of an Upper Extremity Physical Performance Test Battery in Healthy Athletes

Launched by UNIVERSITY GHENT · Nov 22, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new set of physical tests designed for athletes, particularly tennis players and swimmers, to see how well these tests can predict athletic performance and injuries. The first part of the study involves healthy athletes completing various tests to check how their performance relates to their actual sports achievements, like swimming speed or the accuracy of a tennis serve. The second part will follow these athletes over a year to see if their test results can help predict if they will get injured.

To join the study, participants should be in good health and actively play tennis or swim competitively for at least 3 hours a week. Those who have had shoulder dislocations, upper limb surgeries, or significant injuries in the last two months are not eligible. Participants can expect to undergo physical tests and answer weekly questionnaires about any injuries they might experience during the year. This study aims to improve how we assess and prevent injuries in athletes, ultimately helping them perform better and stay healthy.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • In good general health
• • Play tennis or swim competitively, at least 3 hours per week (training + competition)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of shoulder dislocation in dominant and/or nondominant shoulder
• • History of upper extremity surgery
• • At the moment of participation, participants should not report a substantial injury (defined by the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre questionnaire on health problems) in the past two months. A substantial injury is defined as a moderate or severe reduction in training volume or reduction in sports performance or complete inability to participate in sport as substantial injuries and illnesses.
• • Neurological symptoms in any extremity
• • Suffering from a systemic disease (such as diabetes, lupus, arthrosis,.. )