Shoulder Testing

The Athletic Shoulder (ASH) test, originally validated in rugby and baseball, is now being explored for its use in football, specifically for evaluating shoulder strength in NCAA Division I quarterbacks. This is the first known study to examine the test's feasibility in a football population. The repetitive overhead throwing motion in quarterbacks places high demand on the shoulder joint, especially the rotator cuff, labrum, and biceps tendon. The ASH test aims to replicate sport-specific demands using isometric contractions in functional positions. The test includes two positions, Y (135° abduction) and T (90° abduction), designed to assess scapular and posterior shoulder strength. Unlike internal/external rotation testing, Y and T positions highlight muscles like the lower and middle trapezius, posterior deltoid, and posterior cuff. Given that asymmetrical strength is common—and often necessary—in elite overhead athletes, understanding normative values for these positions can provide valuable insight for both performance enhancement and return-to-play decisions.

Some post-throwing soreness is normal, especially during a long season or after a high-volume day. But when that soreness starts affecting your performance, like decreased velocity, reduced accuracy, or lingering weakness, it may be more than just fatigue. Signs that suggest a potential injury include pain that lasts more than 24–48 hours, sharp or localized pain (especially in the front or back of the shoulder), or weakness that doesn’t bounce back with rest.

The shoulder is one of the most vulnerable areas in a quarterback’s body due to the high-volume, high-velocity demands of throwing. By quantifying isometric strength in sport-specific positions, the ASH test provides a repeatable, objective way to monitor muscular output across the season. In this study, consistent trends emerged—dominant arms produced more force, the Y position yielded greater peak force than the T, and all athletes surpassed 14% of body weight in output. These benchmarks offer more than just performance insight. They establish individualized baselines that can help identify concerning asymmetries or drops in force production before pain or injury occurs. Integrating this data into a larger screening system—alongside grip strength, pressing strength, and pull-up capacity—can give sports medicine teams the information needed to adjust workloads, tailor strength programs, and ultimately protect quarterbacks from overuse injuries.