Validation of a supine upper-body power test in physically active male and female adults using a medicine ball with accelerometer

Tremblay, M., Prunault, C., Vesco, C., Abboud, J. et Descarreaux, M. (2025). Validation of a supine upper-body power test in physically active male and female adults using a medicine ball with accelerometer. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 40 (4). pp. e346-e351. ISSN 1064-8011 1533-4287 DOI 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005328

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Résumé

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to validate a supine version of a medicine ball throw test for assessing upper-body power (UBP) in physically active male and female adults. Between session test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and agreement with the seated medicine ball throw protocol (SMBT) and criterion validity of the supine protocol were examined. In addition, the sensitivity of the supine protocol to upper-body neuromuscular fatigue was compared with grip strength measures. Thirty subjects (21 males, 9 females; mean age 26.93 ± 4.26 years) completed 2 experimental sessions 24–72 hours apart. In session 1, UBP was assessed using both the SMBT protocol and supine throw protocols, with peak velocity score (m·s−1) measured by an accelerometer-equipped 4-kilogram medicine ball. Grip strength was measured before, between, and after each medicine ball throw protocol. In session 2, grip strength and the supine throw protocol were assessed pre- and postfatigue, induced by repeated rounds of a push-up protocol. Results showed excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation [2,1] = 0.94, 95% CI [0.88, 0.97]) of the supine throw protocol between sessions, and high correlation and agreement with the SMBT protocol (r = 0.92, p < 0.001). Results of session 2 showed a significant fatigue-induced reduction in UBP supine throw performance (p < 0.01), but grip strength changes were inconsistent. These findings suggest that the supine medicine ball throw protocol is a reliable and valid measure of UBP. This assessment seems to offer greater standardization and sensitivity to fatigue during specific targeted upper-body exercise compared with grip strength assessments.

Plain language summary

This study validated a new test for upper-body power using a supine medicine ball throw with an accelerometer, aimed at physically active adults. Thirty participants completed two sessions, comparing this new test to a seated version and grip strength measures. The supine test showed excellent reliability and strong agreement with the seated test, indicating it is a valid measure of upper-body power. It also demonstrated sensitivity to fatigue, unlike grip strength tests. This suggests the supine medicine ball throw is a reliable and standardized method for assessing upper-body power and fatigue in targeted exercises.

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Type de document:	Article
Mots-clés libres:	Reliability Psychometric properties Neuromuscular fatigue Grip strength Methodology Speed Velocity
Date de dépôt:	25 sept. 2026 14:09
Dernière modification:	25 sept. 2026 14:09
Version du document déposé:	Post-print (version corrigée et acceptée)
URI:	https://depot-e.uqtr.ca/id/eprint/13151

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