Sitting Hand Press-up Test

Original Editor - Lilian Ashraf
Top Contributors - Lilian Ashraf

Purpose
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Scapular correct motion and alignment are essential for the function of the glenohumoral joint. Scapular dyskinesis is a change in the normal positioning and movement of the scapula is linked to glenohumoral joint pathologies.

Kibler has classified scapular dyskinesis into 3 types: Type I, characterized by an inferior medial border prominence, Type II characterized by a medial border prominence, and Type III characterized by a superior medial border prominence.

The sitting hand press-up test is a screening test for scapular medial border posterior displacement. In which the test puts the scapular stabilizing muscles under load. The position of the test which involves extension at the shoulder, extension of the elbow, as well as flexion at the hip and knee requires extreme stabilization at the scapula-thoracic joint.[1]

Technique
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The patient is asked to stand in a relaxed position, and the distance is measured from the midpoint of the medial boarder of both scapulae to the spinous process, using Scapular Posterior Displacement Measuring Tool.

Then the patient is asked to do the sitting hand press-up position as follows: Two chairs are placed with their backs facing each other and the patient stands between them. The patient is instructed to press up with one hand on the back of each chair and support his body weight while pulling his knees up to 90 degrees, holding for 5 seconds. Then measurement was retaken in a similar manner to the first one.

The two measurements are compared for a finding of scapular medial boarder posterior displacement.[1]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

The test is a novel scapular measurement tool which has only one study testing the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability.

The study showed high clinical intra- and inter-rater reliability. With high ICC measurement which indicate good reliability and that the test could be used clinically as a measurement tool.[1]

Resources[edit | edit source]

An image of test postion and the Scapular Posterior Displacement Measuring Tool can be found here.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Hong J, Barnes MJ, Leddon CE, Van Ryssegem G, Alamar B. Reliability of the sitting hand press-up test for identifying and quantifying the level of scapular medial border posterior displacement in overhead athletes. International journal of sports physical therapy. 2011 Dec;6(4):306.