Strength Endurance Test: Posterior Shoulder Endurance Test

The Posterior Shoulder Endurance Test, or PSET, is an isometric endurance test performed to task failure. Peer-reviewed research has investigated intra-rater reliability, inter-rater reliability and minimal detectable change for the PSET, supporting its use when the test is standardised.  

Introduction

Posterior shoulder endurance can be important for overhead sports, throwing, swimming, racquet sports, gym-based training and tasks requiring sustained shoulder control. Maximal strength tests can be useful, but they do not always show how well the shoulder girdle maintains position under sustained demand.

The Posterior Shoulder Endurance Test provides a practical way to assess time to task failure in a standardised shoulder position. It should be interpreted as part of a broader shoulder assessment profile, not as a standalone diagnosis or clearance tool.

Quick Summary

Test name: Posterior Shoulder Endurance Test
Common abbreviation: PSET
Category: Shoulder strength endurance / isometric endurance
Primary score: Time to task failure in seconds
Position: Prone, shoulder abducted and externally rotated
Load: Standardised external load
Best suited to: Overhead, contact, gym and field sport clients
Key limitation: Protocol details must be precise because load, arm length and position change the result.

What Is This Assessment?

The PSET is an isometric endurance test where the client holds the shoulder in a standardised position against a defined external load until they can no longer maintain position.

Research has examined the PSET’s measurement properties, including reliability and minimal detectable change, to inform practical use in elite and active populations.  

Why It Is Used

The PSET may be used to assess:

• Posterior shoulder endurance
• Shoulder girdle isometric endurance
• Fatigue tolerance in a shoulder-elevated position
• Side-to-side differences
• Baseline and retest performance
• Response to shoulder endurance training
• Shoulder performance context in overhead athletes

What It Measures

The primary score is:

Time to task failure in seconds

The result may reflect:

• Posterior deltoid endurance
• Rotator cuff contribution
• Scapular stabiliser endurance
• Trunk and neck control
• Load tolerance
• Pain or symptom response
• Familiarisation and motivation

It does not isolate one muscle and should not be used alone to determine shoulder status.

Who It Is Useful For

The PSET may be useful for:

• Overhead athletes
• Throwing athletes
• Racquet sport athletes
• Swimmers
• Gym and strength-training clients
• Contact sport athletes
• Professionals monitoring shoulder endurance over time

It may not be appropriate if the client cannot safely tolerate the prone shoulder position or external loading.

Equipment Required

• Treatment table, bench or stable testing surface
• Stopwatch
• Standardised external load
• Measuring tape or AR measurement tool if arm length or setup distance needs to be recorded
• Optional inclinometer to help standardise shoulder angle
• Optional Measurz stopwatch for timing
• Optional MAT isometric measurement tools, including Anker, Gripper or Muscle Meter, for related shoulder isometric strength testing
• Measurz entry for recording time, side, load, pain, symptoms and retest comparison

For endurance testing, the main score is usually time to task failure. For broader shoulder profiling, MAT tools such as Anker, Gripper and Muscle Meter can support related isometric strength measures that complement endurance results.

Step-by-Step Protocol

1. Setup

1. The client lies prone on a table or bench.
2. The test shoulder is positioned in approximately 90 degrees of shoulder abduction.
3. The arm is positioned in external rotation according to the chosen protocol.
4. The external load is applied consistently.
5. The opposite arm and trunk remain relaxed and stable.

2. Test Procedure

1. Explain the test and stopping criteria.
2. Ask the client to hold the required shoulder position.
3. Start timing when the correct position is achieved.
4. Stop timing when the client can no longer maintain the required position, compensates significantly, reports intolerable symptoms or chooses to stop.
5. Record time in seconds.
6. Repeat on the other side if appropriate.
7. Record side-to-side difference and symptom response.

Scoring and Interpretation

The primary score is:

Time to task failure in seconds

Interpretation should consider:

• Side tested
• Dominance
• Load used
• Arm length or torque calculation
• Position accuracy
• Pain or symptoms
• Scapular compensation
• Trunk rotation or neck tension
• Familiarisation

Normative Data, Benchmarks or Reference Values

Published reference values for the PSET are more limited than for larger functional tests, but useful comparison values are available. Research on PSET measurement properties supports the need to interpret scores alongside protocol, population and measurement error.  

Practical Interpretation Guide

Use these as broad context only:

• Strong posterior shoulder endurance: 70 seconds or more
• Typical active adult / athlete context: 50–70 seconds
• Developing endurance or notable fatigue: 30–50 seconds
• Low current endurance profile: under 30 seconds

Side-to-Side Comparison

For unilateral testing, side-to-side comparison is often more useful than general norms. Record:

• Dominant and non-dominant side
• Absolute time difference
• Percentage difference
• Symptoms
• Movement quality
• Relevant sport demands

Reliability and Validity

Peer-reviewed research has specifically investigated intra-rater reliability, inter-rater reliability and minimal detectable change for the PSET. This supports its practical use when the protocol is standardised and when small changes are interpreted cautiously.  

Another reproducibility and discriminant validity study reported ICC, SEM and MDC values for the PSET in painful and non-painful populations, reinforcing the importance of considering measurement error and context when interpreting change.  

Common Errors and Limitations

Common errors include:

• Using an inconsistent load
• Not accounting for arm length
• Poor shoulder position
• Allowing the arm to drop gradually without stopping the test
• Excessive trunk rotation
• Scapular compensation
• Comparing different protocols
• Not recording symptoms
• Not recording dominance

The PSET provides useful endurance information but should be combined with strength, range of motion, control and sport-specific findings.

Practical Applications

The PSET can help professionals:

• Monitor posterior shoulder endurance
• Compare dominant and non-dominant sides
• Track progress after endurance-focused training
• Support overhead athlete shoulder profiling
• Identify fatigue-related changes in shoulder control
• Combine endurance findings with isometric strength and movement-quality tests

How to Record This in Measurz / MAT

Record:

• Test name: Posterior Shoulder Endurance Test
• Side tested
• Dominance
• Time to task failure
• Units: seconds
• Load used
• Arm length or torque method if relevant
• Shoulder position
• Pain score
• Symptoms
• Reason for stopping
• Scapular compensation
• Trunk compensation
• Retest date
• Related shoulder strength, range and endurance findings

Measurz can store the PSET alongside shoulder ROM, orthopaedic tests, outcome measures and isometric strength results. MAT isometric tools such as Anker, Gripper and Muscle Meter can be used for related strength measures, while the Measurz stopwatch, inclinometer and AR measurement tools can help standardise timing, position and setup.

Related Tests or Internal Links

• Shoulder Isometric Endurance Test — 5% BW
• Shoulder Isometric Endurance Test — 10% BW
• Athletic Shoulder Test
• Isometric Shoulder External Rotation
• Isometric Shoulder Abduction
• Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test
• Push-Up Test

FAQs

What does the Posterior Shoulder Endurance Test measure?

It measures how long the client can maintain a loaded posterior shoulder position before task failure.

What is a good PSET score?

Around 50–70 seconds may be a useful active-adult reference range, with values above 70 seconds suggesting strong endurance. Population and protocol matter.

Should both sides be tested?

Yes, when appropriate. Side-to-side comparison can be very useful, especially for overhead and unilateral sport demands.

Does a low score diagnose shoulder pain?

No. A low score may suggest reduced endurance or poor tolerance in the test position, but it does not diagnose a condition.

Why is load standardisation important?

Different loads change the difficulty of the test. Load, arm length and position should be recorded for meaningful retesting.

Key Takeaways

• The PSET assesses posterior shoulder isometric endurance.
• The primary score is time to task failure.
• Published evidence supports reliability when the protocol is standardised.
• General reference values exist but should be applied cautiously.
• Measurz can track time, load, side, symptoms and progress over time.

References

Moran, R. W., Schneiders, A. G., Major, K. M., & Sullivan, S. J. (2021). Intra-rater reliability, inter-rater reliability and minimal detectable change of the posterior shoulder endurance test in elite athletes. Physical Therapy in Sport. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.02.004   

Evans, N. A. (2020). Reproducibility and discriminant validity of the Posterior Shoulder Endurance Test.