Are the shoulder joint function, stability, and flexibility tests predictive of handstand execution?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Handstand is unstable element used across multiple gymnastic disciplines (1). The quality of any element's execution plays an important role, which is evaluated accordingly. Multiple strategies are used to maintain a handstand (2-4), where the shoulder joints seem to play an essential role (5, 6). The function of the shoulder joint is affected by its stability and mobility (7). The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between shoulder joint function (flexibility and stability) and the quality of handstand execution.

METHODS:

The handstand execution of university students (n = 111) was evaluated using two qualitative scales, 'Assessment of the Quality Value" (AQV) and E score. The stability and mobility of the shoulder joint were assessed by two standardized field tests: Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (UQYBT) and the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST). We also evaluated the active range of motion (aROM) in flexion using a specific Sit Position Test (SPT). In two ordinal logistic regression models, we evaluated the relationship between the quality of handstand execution (UQYBT, CKCUEST, and SPT) and the AQV and E-score.

RESULTS:

In the first model (AQV), the proportional odds ratio (POR) of the UQYBT (1.06 [0.98, 1.14]), CKCUEST (0.99 [0.89, 1.09]), and SPT (1.43 [0.76, 2.74]) were not statistically significant contributors to the handstand execution quality. Similar results were observed in the second model (E score), where the POR of the UQYBT (0.97 [0.91, 1.03]), CKCUEST (1.00 [0.91, 1.09]) and SPT (1.16 [0.64, 2.07]) also did not show a statistically significant contribution to the execution of the handstand.

CONCLUSION:

In our sample, we did not observe any relationship between the shoulder function tests (UQYBT, CKCUEST, and SPT) and measures of handstand execution quality. This pattern of results may be caused mainly due our sample's limited ability to perform the handstand sufficiently well.