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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
None required
Optional manual resistance from examiner
Client sits or stands with elbow flexed to 90 degrees.
Elbow flexed at 90°
Forearm initially pronated
Client actively attempts forearm supination against resistance.
Examiner may apply counter-resistance to supination.
External rotation resistance may also be applied depending on variation.
Observe for pain or tendon behaviour.
Stabilise elbow position
Apply controlled resistance
Palpate bicipital groove if appropriate
Observe compensatory movement
Ask the client to:
resist turning the palm upward
report pain location and quality
describe any clicking, snapping or discomfort
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
A negative finding involves:
no pain reproduction
stable tendon response
good tolerance to resisted supination
Stop the test if:
sharp pain develops
instability sensation increases
movement becomes guarded or unsafe
Avoid excessive resistance in irritable shoulders
Ensure controlled movement speed
Do not force through pain
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
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
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
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:
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
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
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
Speed’s Test
O’Brien’s Test
Bicipital Groove Palpation
Empty Can Test
Scarf Test
It assesses biceps tendon irritation and stability during resisted supination.
No. It may contribute to clinical reasoning but does not confirm labral pathology.
Pain in the bicipital groove or anterior shoulder, sometimes with perceived tendon instability.
No. It is most useful as part of a cluster of shoulder assessments.
Reliability is moderate but influenced by technique, resistance consistency and symptom irritability.
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
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
