Reliability and Validity of Push-Up 360: A novel test to assess upper extremity physical performance.

Physical performance tests (PPTs) are widely used in sports rehabilitation to assess attributes like strength, endurance, and agility, offering a simple and efficient evaluation method. While several validated PPTs exist for the lower limbs, research on upper extremity PPTs is limited, with only a few tests showing sufficient reliability. Most current PPTs focus on a single construct rather than providing a comprehensive assessment of an athlete’s functional status. Upper extremity performance tests assess strength, power, stability, and endurance, playing a crucial role in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance evaluation. However, existing tests like CKC UEST, YBT-UQ, and SMBT focus on isolated components and do not provide a comprehensive assessment. The lack of correlation between these tests suggests they measure different aspects of upper extremity function rather than an overall performance. The Pushup 360 test bridges this gap by integrating multi-planar movement, strength, power, endurance, and stability, offering a more holistic evaluation. This makes it particularly valuable for athletes and active individuals by identifying weaknesses, guiding rehabilitation, and enhancing overall performance. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a comprehensive upper extremity physical performance test and assess its reliability and validity.