Objective To investigate the test-retest reliability and validity of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic shoulder and elbow score (KJOC) in elite Canoe Slalom athletes and determine its ability to predict future shoulder pain. Design Observational study with embedded test-retest reliability study. Setting British Canoe Slalom National Training Centre. Participants Nineteen athletes from the British Canoe Slalom team for the 2019 season. Main outcome measures The KJOC was completed at the start of winter training and start of the 2019 competitive season. Current, historical (6-months pre-questionnaire) and prospective (4-months post-questionnaire) shoulder injuries were recorded. Results Test-retest reliability was found to be excellent (ICC3,1 = 0.97), with a minimal detectable change (MDC95%) of 6.7. Compared to uninjured athletes, currently injured and historically injured athletes scored significantly lower (p = 0.002 and p = 0.011, respectively), with the difference between means > MDC95%. A cut-off of 88 was found to be predictive of shoulder pain (AUC: 0.779; sensitivity: 0.60; specificity: 0.95; positive likelihood ratio: 11.4). Conclusion The KJOC demonstrated excellent reliability and can distinguish between athletes with and without current or historical shoulder pain. A KJOC score of <88 was associated with increased risk of shoulder pain. The KJOC should be completed as part of a risk profile for shoulder pain.
© Copyright 2021 Physical Therapy in Sport. Elsevier. All rights reserved.