The 30-s chair stand test can be a useful tool for screening sarcopenia in elderly Japanese participants

Abstract

Background Low muscle strength has been focused on as an essential characteristic of sarcopenia, and the 30-s chair stand test (CS-30) could be a particularly useful test for assessing muscle strength. While it is speculated to be a beneficial tool for the assessment of sarcopenia, this remains to be verified. In this study, we examined the reliability and optimal diagnostic score of the CS-30 for assessing sarcopenia in elderly Japanese participants. Methods This cross-sectional study included 678 participants (443 females and 235 males) who underwent the test for sarcopenia as per the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019, the CS-30 test, and the isometric knee-extension muscle strength test. ROC analysis was used to estimate the optimal CS-30 scores at which sarcopenia was detected. Results CS-30 scores were positively associated with sarcopenia (OR: 0.88; 95% CI:0.82–0.93). The AUC of the CS-30 for sarcopenia definition were 0.84 (p < 0.001) for females and 0.80 (p < 0.001) for males. The optimal number of stands in the CS-30 that predicted sarcopenia was 15 for females (sensitivity, 76.4%; specificity, 76.8%) and 17 for males (sensitivity, 75.0%; specificity, 71.7%). Conclusions The CS-30 was found to be a reliable test for sarcopenia screening in the elderly Japanese population.

Objective performance tests assess aspects of function not captured by self-report in knee osteoarthritis

“…The predictive validity of performance tests adds to their utility as baseline and outcome measures in clinical research. For example, the 30-s sit to stand test was useful in distinguishing older persons with and without sarcopenia in one study [ 32 ]. In a study of persons with lower extremity osteoarthritis, those with timed up and go ​> ​13.5 ​s were twice as likely to report a fall in the prior year as those with timed up and go ​< ​13.5 ​s (58% vs. 31%, p ​= ​0.003) [ 5 ].…”

Roles of nutrition in muscle health of community‐dwelling older adults: evidence‐based expert consensus from Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia

“…100 In a more recent cross-sectional study involving 678 Japanese older adults (mean age: 74.7 ± 7.2 years), the 30 s CST had a sensitivity of 75.0-76.4% and specificity of 71.7-76.8% for diagnosing sarcopenia, using 17 and 15 stands as cut-offs for males and females, respectively. 101 Based on these findings, a cross-sectional study concluded that sit-to-stand tests better represent the physical performance compared with muscle strength, the 30 s CST may be a suitable alternative to the 5-time CST. 102 To measure impairments in IADLs, most RCTs in Asia have utilized a five-item questionnaire assessing the ability of community-dwelling older adults to (1) walk two to three blocks outdoors on level ground, (2) climb 10 steps without resting, (3) prepare own meals, (4) do heavy housework like scrubbing floors or washing windows, and (5) shop for groceries or clothes.…”

“…Apart from a chair, the CST does not necessitate any advanced apparatus or wide space to accomplish and has been shown to have a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 94% for predicting low gait speed 100 . In a more recent cross‐sectional study involving 678 Japanese older adults (mean age: 74.7 ± 7.2 years), the 30 s CST had a sensitivity of 75.0–76.4% and specificity of 71.7–76.8% for diagnosing sarcopenia, using 17 and 15 stands as cut‐offs for males and females, respectively 101 . Based on these findings, a cross‐sectional study concluded that sit‐to‐stand tests better represent the physical performance compared with muscle strength, the 30 s CST may be a suitable alternative to the 5‐time CST 102 …”

Korean Working Group on Sarcopenia Guideline: Expert Consensus on Sarcopenia Screening and Diagnosis by the Korean Society of Sarcopenia, the Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research, and the Korean Geriatrics Society

“… 41 , 42 ) Both handgrip strength and chair stand tests are also recommended in sarcopenia screening with the same cutoff for diagnosis—handgrip strength of men <28 kg and women <18 kg; chair stand test of >10 seconds (5-time, ending with standing position) and >11 seconds (5-time, ending with sitting position), or men ≤17 and women ≤15 (30 seconds). 19 , 28 , 29 ) In addition, the gait speed test and TUG can be used as screening tools using the cutoff values of a gait speed of <1.0 m/s and TUG ≥12 seconds. 19 , 43 ) In clinical settings with a high prevalence of sarcopenia, adopting handgrip strength, chair stand test, gait speed, or TUG test may simplify the diagnostic steps for sarcopenia.…”