Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Validity, and Reliability of the Functional Arm Scale for Throwers (FAST) in Throwing Athletes

The Functional Arm Scale for Throwers (FAST) is a patient-reported outcome measure that assesses upper extremity function in overhead throwing athletes. This methodological study aims to cross-culturally adapt the FAST into Turkish (FAST-TR) and to evaluate its validity and reliability. The adaptation process follows Beaton's guidelines, including forward translation, synthesis, back translation, expert committee review, and pretesting in 30 athletes. Overhead athletes aged 18 years or older who have regularly participated in at least one overhead sport for at least 3 years complete a demographic and sports information form, the FAST-TR, the Turkish versions of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (KJOC) Shoulder and Elbow Score, and the Quick-DASH. A subgroup of participants completes the FAST-TR again 5 to 7 days later to assess test-retest reliability. Floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, measurement error, construct validity, and known-groups validity between asymptomatic and symptomatic athletes are analyzed.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 years or older * Native Turkish speaker * Participating in at least one overhead sport at the recreational, amateur, or professional level * Regular participation in sports (at least 6 months per year) for at least the last 3 years Exclusion Criteria: * Major trauma or shoulder/elbow surgery within the last 6 months * Being a Paralympic athlete * Pregnancy * New injury occurring between the test and retest sessions