On March 25, researchers from Scottish Rite for Children partnered with student-athletes from the Shelton School to evaluate a Return-to-Play (RTP) test battery focused on upper extremity development and rehabilitation. The study was led by Dr. Sophia Ulman, Division Director of the Movement Science Laboratory at Scottish Rite for Children.

The purpose of the study is to assess a RTP test battery for adolescent patients recovering from shoulder stabilization surgery, as well as healthy adolescent athletes. While the test battery has been validated at the collegiate level, Scottish Rite has now received funding from the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation to evaluate its effectiveness in a high school population.

This research addresses a critical gap in sports medicine: although many young athletes return to sport after shoulder surgery, a significant number experience recurrent instability or require revision procedures — especially in contact sports. Currently, most return-to-play decisions are made based on time since surgery, not functional readiness. This study aims to shift that approach by using objective testing to assess shoulder strength, power and stability.

Thanks to Dr. Ulman, Shelton's Director of Athletic Training Krystal Cunningham, Shelton Athletic Director Alan Burt and the Shelton student-athletes who participated in the study.