A 30-s Chair-Stand Test as a Measure of Lower Body Strength in Community-Residing Older Adults

Abstract

Measuring lower body strength is critical in evaluating the functional performance of older adults. The purpose of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability and the criterion-related and construct validity of a 30-s chair stand as a measure of lower body strength in adults over the age of 60 years. Seventy-six community-dwelling older adults (M age = 70.5 years) volunteered to participate in the study, which involved performing two 30-s chair-stand tests and two maximum leg-press tests, each conducted on separate days 2-5 days apart. Test-retest intraclass correlations of .84 for men and .92 for women, utilizing one-way analysis of variance procedures appropriate for a single trial, together with a nonsignificant change in scores from Day 1 testing to Day 2, indicate that the 30-s chair stand has good stability reliability. A moderately high correlation between chair-stand performance and maximum weight-adjusted leg-press performance for both men and women (r = .78 and .71, respectively) supports the criterion-related validity of the chair stand as a measure of lower body strength. Construct (or discriminant) validity of the chair stand was demonstrated by the test's ability to detect differences between various age and physical activity level groups. As expected, chair-stand performance decreased significantly across age groups in decades--from the 60s to the 70s to the 80s (p < .01) and was significantly lower for low-active participants than for high-active participants (p < .0001). It was concluded that the 30-s chair stand provides a reasonably reliable and valid indicator of lower body strength in generally active, community-dwelling older adults.

Posturography using the Wii Balance Board™

“…Posturography assessments were performed barefoot, keeping the feet 20 cm apart in the WBB-based posturography system and placing their feet with the heels together and the toes separated, thus forming a V-shape, in the NedSVE/IBV system, as specified in the manual. Clinical instruments included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) [17], the Functional Reach Test (FRT) [2], the Step Test with the paretic (STp) and non-paretic leg (STnp) [18], the 30 second Chair-to-Stand Test (30CST) [19], the Timed "Up-and-go" Test (TUG) [20], the Timed Up and Down Stair Test (TUDST) [21], and the 10 Meter Walking Test (10MWT) [22]. All assessments took place within five days.…”

Balance Exercises Circuit improves muscle strength, balance, and functional performance in older women

“…Participants were seated in a standard-height chair with arms crossed over the chest and were then instructed to stand up fully and sit down fully as many times as possible within 30 s (Rikli and Jones 2008). The reliability of this test has been previously described (r = 0.92) (Jones 1999).…”

Age-related changes in physical functioning: correlates between objective and self-reported outcomes

“…However, as we age, a combination of physical and psychological 43 changes reduces our ability to complete these daily tasks (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). This may lead to increased 44 sedentary behaviour, task avoidance and ultimately poorer quality of life (7).…”

“…164 7 a quantitative measurement is. For example, the TUG time offers high reproducibility with an ICC 168 of 0.8 from a cohort of older people (35) and similar levels of consistency has been confirmed for 169 STS (6). Mechanical reliability of the dynamometer is high(ICC=0.99) as is test re-test reliability of 170 strength in older adults(ICC>0.92) (36).…”