Assessing Shoulder Endurance in Sedentary Adults: Is the Shoulder Endurance Test a Valid Alternative to Isokinetic Testing?

Background The Shoulder Endurance Test (SET) is a simple, low-cost tool to assess shoulder function and aid return-to-sport decisions, but its validity compared to isokinetic dynamometer measures in sedentary populations is unclear. Objective The study aimed to evaluate the construct validity of the SET in sedentary adult males by examining its correlations with isokinetic measures of strength, endurance, and power of the shoulder's rotators. Methods Fifty sedentary adult males (18-30 years) performed the SET and isokinetic tests assessing shoulder rotator strength, endurance, and power at 60°/s and 180°/s. Correlations between SET performance and isokinetic variables were analyzed using Spearman's coefficients (p < 0.05). Results Low correlations were found between SET and isokinetic strength (ρ = 0.26 to 0.41) and power (ρ = 0.30 to 0.39). Unexpectedly, SET also showed low correlation with isokinetic endurance (ρ = -0.01 to 0.13), suggesting factors like motor coordination influence SET performance. Conclusion The SET is not a valid substitute for isokinetic testing in sedentary adult males, but may complement broader functional assessments. Future research should explore modified protocols and diverse populations.