Reliability of the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability Test in young adults

Abstract Objective To analyze the reliability indicators of CKCUEST, and to investigate how many sessions are necessary to find a stable score. Design Reliability study. Setting Biomechanics laboratory. Participants The sample consisted of 36 healthy young adults, of both genders. Main outcome measures The subjects performed four CKCUEST with a minimum interval of three days between evaluations. The number of touches in each execution was counted, and then the average values of the number of rings, normalized score and power were calculated. Results The CKCUEST presented ICC ranging from 0.77 to 0.92 (mean number of touches), 0.80 to 0.94 (normalized score) and 0.91 to 0.98 (power). The Bland-Altman plots showed the presence of systematic error for all measures, as also confirmed by the ANOVA analysis. The scores increased every session for both genders. The boys' scores stabilized in the third session. However, the girls’ scores did not stabilize. Conclusion The CKCUEST presents excellent reliability; however, there is the presence of systematic error between measurements. It is necessary to perform at least three sessions to obtain reliable data for male participants, and the female results were not conclusive.