[Scapular balance angle reference values in a healthy population]

Abstract

Objectives: To calculate the Scapular Balance Angle (SBA) reference values in a healthy population between 18 and 85 years old, and to define abnormality criteria for this sample.

Materials and methods: A descriptive study was conducted on a total of 300 individuals (mean age: 44.83, range: 18-83; proportion male/female: 1.59), calculating the SBA through manual measurement with a goniometer. An intraobserver Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.87 and a interobserver ICC of 0.84 was observed.

Results: The values for the SBA in healthy population were 2.505 ± 2.340°. We define the abnormality criteria for this sample with an angle greater than 7.185°.

Discussion: SBA manual measurement is a simple and reproducible assessment of the position and rotation of the scapula in clinical practice. The main findings of this study are the reference values for the SBA and a statistical cut-off to define abnormality.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Diagnóstico; Escápula; Movement; Movimiento; Scapula.