Functional Testing

Question 1

Muscular fitness incorporates aspects of strength, power, endurance and posture, all of which are trainable characteristics along with ___

Answer 1

Hypertrophy

Question 2

Maintaining these health-related components (i.e., strength, power, endurance and posture) can…

Answer 2

reduce risk of several chronic diseases.

positive impact on bone mass (which is related to osteoporosis)

positive impact on glucose tolerance (related to T2D)

positive impact on musculo-tendinous integrity (related to lower risk of injury)

improved ability to carry out activities of daily living (related to self-esteem and quality of life)

positive impact on fat-free mass and resting metabolic rate (related to weight management)

Question 3

However, most traditional protocols used for the assessment of fitness were designed with a young athletic population in mind. People who are elderly or suffering from a chronic disease may not be able to complete even the most basic laboratory-based tasks (protocols). Therefore…

Answer 3

modified tests are needed to assess physical characteristics associated with functional mobility of people within these population groups.

Question 4

Short physical performance battery (SPPB)

Answer 4

• Combines results of gait speed, chair stand and balance tests.
• assesses lower extremity functioning in older adults.
• predictive tool for disability, risk of mortality and nursing home admission.
• scores from 0 (worst performance) to 12 (best performance)

Question 5

Balance test:

side-by-side stand

Answer 5

Aim: stand with feet together for 10s

• can use arms, bend knees, move body to maintain balance, but try not to move feet.
• hold position until practitioner says “stop”
• if participant is unable to hold position for 10s, record result and go to gait speed.

Question 6

Balance test:

semi-tendem

Answer 6

Aim: stand with side of heel of foot touching the big toe of the other foot for 10s.

• can use arms, bend knees, move body to maintain balance, but try not to move feet.
• help them get into position, then let go when you start timing.
• if participant is unable to hold position for 10s, record result and go to gait speed.

Question 7

balance test:

tandem stand

Answer 7

Aim: stand with one heel of one foot in front of and touching the toes of the other foot for 10s.

• can use arms, bend knees, move body to maintain balance, but try not to move feet.
• help them get into position, then let go when you start timing.

Question 8

Gait speed test protocol

Answer 8

1. mark out 4m with two cones
2. place chair at one end for safety.
3. observe how they normally walk, and at their usual pace.
4. measure how long it takes them to walk up and back.
5. complete the test twice, allow 30s in between tests.

• if balance is of concern, walk directly behind them and to the side.
• start the watch as participant begins walking
• stop the watch once feet are across the line.

Question 9

scoring for balance testing

Answer 9

1 point = held for 10s

0 point = not held for 10s

0 points = not attempted

note the number of sec held if less than 10s

add all scores together.

Question 10

scoring for gait speed

Answer 10

report for both tests
- time in sec

• if participant did not attempt test or failed, circle why
• aids for first walk: none / cane / other

0 points = unable

1 point = more than 8.70s

2 points = 6.21 to 8.70s

3 points = 4.82 to 6.20s

4 points = less than 4.82s

Question 11

single chair stand test protocol

Answer 11

Aim: to try and stand up from a chair without using your arms

Measures: leg strength

1. fold arms across chest and sit so feet are on the floor, then stand up whilst keeping arms across chest.

• if participant stood without using arms - go to repeated chair stand test.
• If participant cannot rise without using arms - end the test, record results and go to scoring page.

Question 12

scoring for single chair stand

Answer 12

0 points = participant used arms to stand, or if test was not completed.

Question 13

repeated chair stands test protocol

Answer 13

Aim: to stand up from chair 5x without using arms

Measure: how quickly they can complete it 5x, without stopping in between.

• keep arms folded across chest.
• count out loud.
• stop the time when they have straightened up completely for the 5th time.

Stop test if participant…
- becomes tired or short of breath:
- uses arms;
- concerns for safety;

Question 14

scoring for repeated chair stands

Answer 14

yes/no - safe to stand 5x?

record finish time in secs

reasons why participant failed or did not attempt test

0 points = unable to complete, or >60s

1 point = 16.70s or more

2 points = 13.70-16.69s

3 points = 11.20-13.69s

4 points = 11.19 or less

Question 15

total scores for functional testing and classification

Answer 15

sum of all functional tests:

0-3 = severe limitation

4-6 = moderate limitations

7-9 = mild limitations

10-12 = minimal limitations

Question 16

30s sit to stand

Answer 16

Aim: complete as many stands in 30s with arms across chest (chair height 43.18cm)

Measures: lower body muscle strength

At risk score = less than 8

Question 17

2 min step test

Answer 17

Aim: complete as many steps in 2 mins, raising each knee to point midway between patella and iliac crest.

Score = number of times the right knee reaches target

Measures: aerobic endurance

At risk score = less than 65

Question 18

Timed up and go

Answer 18

Aim: to raise from seated position, walk 2.44m, turn around a cone/marker, and return to seated position, as quick as they can.

Score = time to nearest 1/10th sec.

Measures: agility and dynamic balance

At risk score = more than 9s.

Question 19

Grip strength test

Answer 19

Measure: isometric test of strength of forearm and finger flexors.

• grip strength correlates with overall body strength, can predict age related functional decline perceived in older adults.
• sit participant comfortably with legs, back support and fixed arms.
• aim is to squeeze as long and as tightly as possible or until the needle stops rising.
• read in kg, nearest 1kg on data entry form.
• do three readings for each hand.
• the best of the 6x measures is used, to encourage subject to get as high a score as possible.