Sit-to-stand test

A sit-to-stand test has a person stand up from a chair over and over.^{1Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., pp. 437–438.} In the 30-second chair stand, the score is how many times they stand in 30 seconds.^{1Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., pp. 437–438.} It is one of seven items in the Senior Fitness Test.^{2Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., pp. 434–435.} Another version is the five-times sit-to-stand.^{3Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., p. 608.}

Tests like these need little space, equipment or money. They are safe and easy to give.^{2Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., pp. 434–435.} ACSM also uses sit-to-stand tests with people who have lung disease, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.^{3Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., p. 608.},^{4Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., pp. 793–795.},^{5Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., p. 922.} In multiple sclerosis, it names the 30-second version as one way to measure muscle strength and endurance.^{4Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., pp. 793–795.}

The results mean something outside the test. Scores on tests like the five-times sit-to-stand track with daily tasks, walking and balance.^{6Schoenfeld and Snarr (eds.), NSCA’s Essentials of Personal Training, 3rd ed., p. 618.} Standing up from a chair is itself a daily-life movement worth training in older adults.^{7International Personal Trainer Academy, Certified Personal Trainer Textbook, p. 357.}

In practice

• ACSM gives targets for staying independent later in life. For the 30-second chair stand, women aged 60 to 64 should reach 15 stands and men 17. By ages 90 to 94, the target for both is 9.^{1Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., pp. 437–438.}
• Watch how the person moves as well as the score.^{1Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., pp. 437–438.}
• In pregnancy, the test is reliable and needs only a chair and a timer. It hasn’t been validated for that group, though.^{8Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., p. 405.}
• The movement can be trained. In Parkinson’s disease, practicing moves like sit-to-stand and step-ups improves balance and daily function.^{9Ozemek et al., ACSM’s Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription, 12th ed., p. 930.}