[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Closed Kinetic Chain Upper Extremity Stability (CKCUES) test. [Subjects and Methods] A sample of 40 subjects (20 males, 20 females) with and without pain in the upper limbs was recruited. The subjects were tested twice, three days apart to assess the reliability of the CKCUES test. The CKCUES test was performed four times, and the average was calculated using the data of the last 3 tests. In order to test the validity of the CKCUES test, peak torque of internal/external shoulder rotation was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer, and maximum grip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer, and their Pearson correlation coefficients with the average values of the CKCUES test were calculated. [Results] The reliability of the CKCUES test was very high (ICC=0.97). The correlations between the CKCUES test and maximum grip strength (r=0.78–0.79), and the peak torque of internal/external shoulder rotation (r=0.87–0.94) were high indicating its validity. [Conclusion] The reliability and validity of the CKCUES test were high. The CKCUES test is expected to be used for clinical tests on upper limb stability at low price.

CKC SE was effective in increasing shoulder IR and ER strength, demonstrating its potential benefits in the prevention and treatment of shoulder injury. In addition, increased IR peak torque appears to improve throwing velocity in baseball players.

METHODS:The subjects of this study were 32 patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis. The subjects were surveyed using a Korean version of PRTEE three times: at the first visit, one week after, and two weeks after. This questionnaire consisted of 15 questions including 5 questions about pain and 10 questions about functions. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to measure reliability and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were used to assess internal consistency. In addition, the validity of the survey results was examined by correlating a visual analogue scale with the outcome of holding without pain. RESULTS:Test-retest reliability of Korea version PRTEE was good total ICC= .962 (CI=.922-,982). Cronbach's alpha value for PRTEE was found to be .955 and it was statistically significant (p<.05). The positive correlation between PRTEE †Corresponding Author : ptjskim@cup.ac.kr and VAS was moderate to high (r=.753, P=.00) and statistically significant. There was also a low significant negative correlation between PRTEE and PFG (r=-.362, P=.042). CONCLUSION:The Korean version of PRTEE had reliability and validity. Therefore, it is a useful measure to evaluate the conditions of patients with lateral epicondylitis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the activity of the abdominal muscles during coughing between smokers and nonsmokers. [Subjects] A total of 30 healthy adults (15 smokers, 15 nonsmokers) participated. [Methods] The percentage maximal voluntary isometric contraction values (%MVIC) of the rectus abdominis (RA), external abdominal oblique (EO), and internal abdominal oblique (IO) and transversus abdominis (TrA) were measured using surface electromyography. [Results] The %MVIC of the IO and TrA statistically significantly differed and the %MVIC of IO and TrA was found to be higher during coughing in nonsmokers compared with during coughing in smokers. [Conclusion] The activity of the deep abdominal muscles in nonsmokers was also higher than that of smokers during coughing.