Reliability of the Groningen Fitness Test for the Elderly

Abstract

Several items of the Groningen Fitness Test for the Elderly (GFE) were tested. The GFE tests were administered twice, with 1 week between sessions. The participants were 458 independently living adults >55 years of age. For most tests, there was reasonable agreement between sessions, indicating absolute objectivity and stability, but results on the block-transfer test revealed a learning effect. Mean scores on the balance-board and sit-and-reach tests showed significant improvement, whereas grip-strength results deteriorated significantly. All tests satisfied the criteria for relative reliability. In conclusion, absolute and relative reliability of the tests of the GFE were satisfactory. If multiple applications of the GFE are planned for the same group of participants, 1 or more practice trials should be executed for the block-transfer test to avoid a learning effect. A standard warm-up protocol is recommended for the sit-and-reach test. Participants should be strongly encouraged to give a maximum effort on the strength tests.

Reliability and Validity of a Twelve-Minute Walking Test for Coronary Heart Disease Patients

“…In this study the ICC met this criterion. walking test are satisfactory too, compared with values in other studies (Guyatt, et al, 1985;Green, et al, 2001;Lemmink, et al, 2001). The ICC for this was .95, as reported by Lemmink, et al (2001).…”

“…Of all mentioned tests, the Groningen Fitness for the Elderly walking test is likely the most appropriate one because it is developed for older adults and is a reliable, valid, performance-based field test (Van Heuvelen, Kempen, Ormel, & Rispens, 1998;Lemmink, Kemper, de Greef, Rispens, & Stevens, 2001). To make the threshold to move as low as possible, there was a need for a field test with which the endurance of sedentary heart patients could be measured on a large scale in a simple and inexpensive way before participation in the movement-stimulation project.…”

Batteries assessing health related fitness in the elderly: a brief review

“…In addition, it is combined with a questionnaire to assess the subjective self-evaluation of health, and therefore, it has been used in longitudinal studies seeking to analyze the correlation between fitness level perceived through questionnaires and that proved in field tests [50]. The reliability, inter-rater, intra-rater, and internal consistency of the GFE has been demonstrated [23], which makes of it a very useful tool to measure basic motor abilities such as strength, endurance, and coordination. Although "passing" the GFE does not take long (each test takes 4 min and the endurance test 15) and its items are simple to perform and easily transportable, it does require specific equipment; thus, it might not be easily administered in all situations.…”

“…In addition to this, it should be noted that the circumduction test lacks objectivity, that including a suitable warming up before the sit and reach test has been suggested, and that some previous practice before the block-transfer exercise would be advisable in order to avoid the learning effect. Furthermore, the endurance exercise (walking test) may not be selective enough, given the fact that some people are able to finish it without reaching their maximum level of effort [23]. Lastly, it must be stressed that because this battery consists of simple exercises and it is easy to administer, it is used to assess the fitness level of sedentary populations and of people affected by different pathologies [25].…”

Decrease in heart rate after longitudinal participation in the Groningen Active Living Model (GALM) recreational sports programme

“…Participants walked on a rectangular indoor course and walking speed was paced using audio signals from a CD player. Walking speed was increased by 1 km Á h 71 every 3 min, starting at a speed of 4 km Á h 71 and ending at 7 km Á h 71 (Lemmink, Kemper, de Greef, Rispens, & Stevens, 2001). Participants had to walk one test round to become familiar with the procedure before starting the test.…”