Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test Reference Values for NCAA American Football.

Background: The Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test (CKCUEST) is a valid and reliable test commonly used during return to sport testing. While reference values have been determined for multiple sports, few have specifically considered National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) American football players.

Purpose: To provide reference values on the CKCUEST for NCAA football players with considerations for position, history of upper extremity injury, year in school, and division of college football.

Study design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Eighty football players from three NCAA schools were recruited to participate in this study. Height, mass, position, year in school, and history of upper extremity injury were collected. Subjects completed three trials of the CKCUEST with their means recorded. Means were compared using ANOVA with post hoc Bonferroni tests. A T-test was used for a secondary comparison of mean touches of linemen versus all other positions. Pearson correlation coefficients assessed the relationship between number of touches and subject characteristics.

Results: Subjects were all males with a mean of 2.5 years in school (95% CI 2.18-2.85). Subjects of the study averaged 27.3 touches. There were no statistically significant performance differences between players from NCAA divisions, with/without injury history, years in school, or athlete demographics. Linebackers had significantly more touches compared to offensive linemen, 29.7 and 24.8 (p<0.03), respectively. Additionally, linemen as a group (offensive and defensive) averaged 25.7 touches, which was significantly lower compared to all other positions combined (28.1 touches, p<0.01). The minimal detectable change was 1.2 touches.

Conclusion: A reference value of 27 touches was found for the CKCUEST in NCAA football players. A change of at least two touches would indicate a measurable change. Position differences should play a role in clearance for return to sport; specifically, linemen may produce less touches than other non-lineman positions.

Level of evidence: Level 2c: Cross-sectional study.