Author(s): SAYAR, G., BASER, M., HABAY, J., VERSCHUEREN, J., ROELANDS, B., YESILYAPRAK SEVI, S., Institution: İZMIR BAKıRÇAY UNIVERSITY, Country: TURKEY, Abstract-ID: 1049

INTRODUCTION:
Upper extremity performance tests are commonly used to assess shoulder function, injury risk, and return-to-sport readiness; however, most are performed under predictable conditions and fail to reflect the dynamic demands of sport. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel reactive upper extremity performance test integrating visuomotor demands with dynamic stability and to examine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of this Reactive Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (RUQYBT) in physically active males.
METHODS:
The RUQYBT uses the Upper Quarter Y Balance Test as a reference framework for reach directions, while incorporating a light-based visual stimulus system (Sportreact™, Zagreb, Croatia) to introduce unpredictable visuomotor demands. Visuomotor reaction time (VMRT) and response accuracy (ACC) were selected as outcome measures. Accuracy was calculated as: [Total number of stimuli - (missed stimuli + multiple responses + balance errors + additional attempts + decision errors)] / Total number of stimuli x 100. Sixteen physically active male volunteers (age: 20.2 ± 1.4 years; height: 178.8 ± 6.4 cm; body mass: 74.7 ± 12.9 kg) participated in the study. One familiarization session and two experimental sessions were conducted, during which participants performed both the UQYBT and RUQYBT three times per session. Individual reach distances obtained from the UQYBT were used solely to determine visual stimulus placement at 80% of the maximum reach distance during the RUQYBT. Two independent raters conducted the assessments. Intra-rater reliability was determined by comparing the first and second trial scores evaluated by the first rater, whereas inter-rater reliability was examined by comparing second trial scores independently evaluated by the first and second raters. VMRT and ACC values were averaged across trials, and intra- and inter-rater reliability were quantified using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).
RESULTS:
Mean VMRT values for intra-rater reliability were 0.86 ± 0.14 s and 0.85 ± 0.15 s for the first and second trials, respectively, with corresponding ACC values of 88.88 ± 10.23% and 85.76 ± 10.46%. For inter-rater reliability, mean VMRT and ACC values obtained from the second trial and evaluated by the second rater were 0.84 ± 0.15 s and 85.30 ± 10.42%, respectively. VMRT demonstrated excellent intra-rater (ICC = 0.98) and inter-rater (ICC = 0.99) reliability. ACC showed excellent inter-rater (ICC = 0.99) and good intra-rater reliability (ICC = 0.80).
CONCLUSION:
The RUQYBT is a novel, stand-alone upper extremity performance test integrating upper extremity dynamic stability with reactive visuomotor demands. The test demonstrated good to excellent intra- and inter-rater reliability in physically active young males. The RUQYBT enables the simultaneous assessment of physical performance and athlete adaptability within a more sport-specific context.