Yergason’s Test is used to assess long head of biceps tendon irritation and stability during resisted supination and external rotation. This article outlines the protocol, interpretation, limitations and evidence-informed use within shoulder assessment.

Introduction

Anterior shoulder pain is commonly multifactorial and may involve:

• long head of biceps tendon
• superior labrum
• rotator cuff structures
• anterior capsule

Yergason’s Test is a resisted movement assessment designed to load the biceps tendon and assess its stability within the bicipital groove during supination and external rotation.

It is commonly used alongside:

• Speed’s Test
• O’Brien’s Test
• bicipital groove palpation
• shoulder ROM assessment
• strength testing

A positive finding may increase suspicion of biceps tendon involvement, but it does not independently confirm structural pathology.

Quick Summary

• Primary purpose: Assess biceps tendon irritation and stability
• Body region: Shoulder and elbow
• Commonly associated with: Biceps tendinopathy or instability
• Positive finding: Pain in bicipital groove or tendon instability during resisted supination
• Negative finding: No pain or instability
• Clinical role: Supports anterior shoulder assessment reasoning
• Best interpreted with: Speed’s Test, palpation and symptom history

What Is Yergason’s Test?

Yergason’s Test is a resisted shoulder and elbow assessment performed with the elbow flexed at 90 degrees while the client attempts to supinate and externally rotate the forearm against resistance.

The test is intended to:

• load the long head of biceps tendon
• assess tendon stability in the bicipital groove
• reproduce anterior shoulder pain
• identify irritation during resisted supination

Why It Is Used

Yergason’s Test may help:

• assess biceps tendon irritation
• evaluate tendon stability
• reproduce anterior shoulder pain
• support clinical reasoning in anterior shoulder presentations
• guide load modification strategies

It may be particularly relevant in:

• throwing athletes
• overhead athletes
• gym-based populations
• clients with anterior shoulder pain
• individuals reporting clicking or snapping sensations

What It Assesses

The test evaluates:

• long head biceps tendon irritation
• tendon stability in the bicipital groove
• symptom provocation during resisted supination
• anterior shoulder load tolerance

A positive finding may suggest biceps tendon involvement, but it does not independently confirm tearing or labral injury.

Who It Is Useful For

Yergason’s Test may be useful for:

• exercise professionals
• strength and conditioning coaches
• allied health education environments
• sports performance settings
• shoulder screening contexts
• overhead athlete monitoring

When to Use This Test

Consider using Yergason’s Test when a client reports:

• anterior shoulder pain
• pain during supination or curling
• clicking or snapping in the shoulder
• tenderness in the bicipital groove
• discomfort during pulling or lifting

The test becomes more meaningful when combined with:

• Speed’s Test
• O’Brien’s Test
• bicipital groove palpation
• symptom history
• strength testing

When Not to Use or When to Be Cautious

Use caution when:

• acute shoulder injury is suspected
• severe pain is present
• recent tendon rupture is suspected
• symptoms are highly irritable

Stop testing if:

• sharp pain occurs
• instability sensations increase
• guarding limits movement significantly

Equipment Required

• None required
• Optional manual resistance from examiner

Step-by-Step Protocol / Practice

Setup

Client sits or stands with elbow flexed to 90 degrees.

Client Position

• Elbow flexed at 90°
• Forearm initially pronated

Movement and Force Direction

1. Client actively attempts forearm supination against resistance.
2. Examiner may apply counter-resistance to supination.
3. External rotation resistance may also be applied depending on variation.
4. Observe for pain or tendon behaviour.

Examiner/Professional Position

• Stabilise elbow position
• Apply controlled resistance
• Palpate bicipital groove if appropriate
• Observe compensatory movement

Instructions

Ask the client to:

• resist turning the palm upward
• report pain location and quality
• describe any clicking, snapping or discomfort

Positive Finding

A positive Yergason’s Test may involve:

• pain in anterior shoulder or bicipital groove
• tenderness on palpation during movement
• possible tendon instability or snapping sensation
• reproduction of familiar symptoms

Negative Finding

A negative finding involves:

• no pain reproduction
• stable tendon response
• good tolerance to resisted supination

Stopping Criteria

Stop the test if:

• sharp pain develops
• instability sensation increases
• movement becomes guarded or unsafe

Safety Notes

• Avoid excessive resistance in irritable shoulders
• Ensure controlled movement speed
• Do not force through pain

Positive and Negative Test Interpretation

Positive Interpretation

A positive Yergason’s Test may increase suspicion of:

• long head biceps tendon irritation
• tendon instability within the bicipital groove
• anterior shoulder load sensitivity

It is more meaningful when combined with:

• Speed’s Test positivity
• bicipital groove tenderness
• anterior shoulder pain history

However, this test does not:

• confirm tendon rupture
• confirm SLAP lesion
• diagnose structural pathology on its own

Pain may also be influenced by:

• general anterior shoulder irritability
• rotator cuff involvement
• movement compensation strategies

Negative Interpretation

A negative test may reduce suspicion of biceps tendon irritation during this specific loading pattern, but:

• symptoms may still be present
• other structures may be involved
• further assessment may still be required

Sensitivity, Specificity and Diagnostic Accuracy

High-quality diagnostic accuracy evidence specific to Yergason’s Test is limited and variable.

Available shoulder literature suggests:

• individual biceps tendon tests have inconsistent sensitivity and specificity
• diagnostic accuracy improves when multiple tests are combined into a cluster
• reference standards vary (MRI, arthroscopy, clinical diagnosis), affecting results

At the time of writing:

• no consistent, high-quality pooled sensitivity, specificity or likelihood ratio values are established specifically for Yergason’s Test across all populations

This means:

• the test should not be used in isolation for diagnostic decision-making
• it is best used as part of a broader shoulder assessment strategy
• interpretation should always include history, symptom behaviour and other findings

Reliability and Validity

• Inter-rater reliability varies depending on examiner technique and resistance consistency
• Standardisation of elbow position improves repeatability
• Pain response is subjective and influenced by irritability and expectation

Validity considerations:

• biceps tendon pain overlaps with labral and rotator cuff presentations
• tendon “instability” findings are not consistently reproducible across settings
• clinical utility improves when combined with other anterior shoulder tests

Common Errors and Limitations

Common errors:

• excessive resistance application
• allowing shoulder compensation
• misinterpreting general shoulder pain as tendon-specific
• poor comparison with contralateral side

Limitations:

• overlap with other shoulder pathologies
• limited standalone diagnostic value
• variability in symptom reproduction

Practical Applications

Yergason’s Test may help:

• assess anterior shoulder load tolerance
• support biceps tendon assessment reasoning
• monitor symptom changes over time
• guide exercise modification
• contribute to test clustering strategies

Most useful when combined with:

• Speed’s Test
• O’Brien’s Test
• palpation findings
• ROM and strength assessment

How to Record This in Measurz

Record:

• Test name: Yergason’s Test
• Side tested
• Result: positive / negative / unclear
• Pain location
• Pain score (0–10)
• Symptom quality (sharp, ache, snapping)
• Resistance tolerance
• Tendon stability notes (if observed)
• Comparison side
• Compensations observed
• Irritability level
• Related findings
• Reason for stopping (if applicable)
• Retest date
• Interpretation notes

Related Tests / Internal Links

• Speed’s Test
• O’Brien’s Test
• Bicipital Groove Palpation
• Empty Can Test
• Scarf Test

FAQs

What does Yergason’s Test assess?

It assesses biceps tendon irritation and stability during resisted supination.

Does it diagnose a SLAP lesion?

No. It may contribute to clinical reasoning but does not confirm labral pathology.

What is a positive Yergason’s Test?

Pain in the bicipital groove or anterior shoulder, sometimes with perceived tendon instability.

Should it be used alone?

No. It is most useful as part of a cluster of shoulder assessments.

How reliable is it?

Reliability is moderate but influenced by technique, resistance consistency and symptom irritability.

Key Takeaways

• Yergason’s Test assesses biceps tendon irritation and stability
• Positive findings increase suspicion but do not confirm pathology
• Best used alongside Speed’s Test and palpation
• Diagnostic accuracy improves when used in test clusters
• Interpretation must include history and symptom behaviour

References

Cook, C., & Hegedus, E. J. (2021). Orthopedic physical examination tests: An evidence-based approach (3rd ed.). Pearson.

Krill, M. K., Borchers, J. R., & Hoffman, J. T. (2018). Physical examination of the shoulder. Sports Health, 10(4), 366–371. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738118765734

Morrow, E. K., Morris, J. H., & Struyf, F. (2020). Clinical examination and physical assessment of shoulder pain. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(20), 1208–1215. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101168