Clinicians' opinion on physical performance tests for upper limbs

• Grant number: 21/06246-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2021
• End date: December 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Anamaria Siriani de Oliveira
• Grantee: Guilherme Dainezi Nagata
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/06010-7 - Validation of shoulder endurance test using electromyography in overhead athletes, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Studies have demonstrated the need to consider the use of low-cost and practical instruments to be applied to perform the athlete's assessment. However, unlike physical performance tests for lower limbs, which have been investigated extensively and are widely used by sports physiotherapists, there are few studies that have shown how clinicians use tests for upper limbs. Tests for upper limbs are less well known and their application as a screening tool for injury prevention or return to sport after an injury is limited. Therefore, the aim of this study will be to check among sports physiotherapists' professionals the opinion and application of the physical performance tests for upper limbs. And also, it will address its use by physiotherapists in para-athletes, in order to guide future research related to this population so that we can prevent injuries more effectively. The study will be a survey methodology, cross-sectional observational and the data will be collected through an online questionnaire that will be filled out by physical therapists of both sexes who work with athletes. Professionals will be invited to participate in this study through electronic contact via e-mail with a link to access the questionnaire, which will initially present a text setting out the objectives of the study, clinical relevance, and inclusion criteria. Then, the physiotherapist will be presented with the Free and Informed Consent Form and if he agrees to participate, he will be led to complete the questionnaire. Participants' responses will be kept confidential. The questionnaire has 23 questions, separated into three sessions: general questions about the tests (10), questions about the use of the tests in parathletes (5), questions about any comment in respect of the questionnaire (1), and demographic questions (7). A descriptive analysis will be done at the end of the study and a synthesis of how physiotherapists use the tests in their clinical practice will be elaborated. (AU)