Validation of Criterion-Referenced Standards for Tests of Arm and Shoulder Girdle Strength and Endurance

The purpose of this study was to establish criterion-referenced standards for selected tests of arm and shoulder girdle strength and endurance for college females. Several popular tests of arm and shoulder girdle strength and endurance were administered to equal numbers of trained and untrained college females (N = 92) to generate data for the analysis. The contrasting groups method (Berk, 1976; Safrit & Wood, 1990) yielded the following criterion cutoff scores that classified college females as trained or untrained on the basis of regular upper arm and shoulder girdle resistance training: pull-ups = .5 repetitions (reps), 90 degrees push-ups = 16 reps, flexed arm hang = 5 s, seated chest press = 24.5 kg, seated biceps curl = 16.4 kg, seated lat pull (latissimus dorsi pull-down) = 38.2 kg, absolute strength index = 86.4 kg, and relative strength index = .6 kg per kg of body weight. Cross-validation of the standards on an independent sample of college females (N = 112) suggested stability of the cutoff scores for pull-ups, flexed arm hang, and relative strength.