A Virtual Versus In-Person Comparison of the Senior Fitness Test: A Randomized Crossover Trial

The Senior Fitness Test (SFT) is a validated tool for examining older adults' mobility, strength, and flexibility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person training facilities were closed, there was a need for effective virtual options for assessments, including the SFT.Purpose:The purpose of this study was to compare the validated SFT conducted in person versus an online virtual setting.Methods:A virtual modified version of the SFT was compared to the modified in-person validated SFT. Community-dwelling older adults were randomized, using a random number generator, to start in either the in-person or virtual modified SFT mode of delivery. After completion of the first mode of delivery (i.e., either in-person or virtual), participants completed the second mode of delivery.Results:Forty participants (50% women; 72 +/- 4 years) showed no differences between the in-person and virtual delivery measurements in the 2-minute step (mean [M] +/- standard deviation in person = 87.9 +/- 18.5; M virtual = 87.2 +/- 20.7; p = 0.65), 30-second arm curl (M in person = 16.9 +/- 4; M virtual = 16.5 +/- 4; p = 0.43), 30-second chair stand (M in person = 15.6 +/- 5; M virtual = 15.2 +/- 4; p = 0.36), and chair sit and reach (M in person = 1.2 +/- 15; M virtual = 4.2 +/- 11; p = 0.06).Conclusions:Performing the modified SFT in a virtual setting may be a useful delivery mode for seniors and healthcare professionals if in-person testing is not viable. Le test de condition physique pour les aines (SFT) est un outil valide pour examiner la mobilite, la force et la flexibilite des personnes agees. Pendant la pandemie de COVID-19, lorsque les installations d'entrainement en salle etaient fermees, des possibilites virtuelles efficaces sont devenues necessaires pour proceder aux evaluations, y compris le SFT.Objectif :la presente etude visait a comparer le SFT valide utilise en personne a celui utilise en milieu virtuel.Methodologie :les chercheurs ont compare une version modifiee virtuelle du SFT au STF valide en personne modifie. Les aines qui vivent dans la communaute ont ete randomises, au moyen d'un generateur de nombres aleatoires, pour entreprendre le STF modifie en personne ou virtuellement. Apres avoir termine le premier mode de prestation (en personne ou virtuellement), les participants ont effectue le second.Resultats :les mesures de quarante participants (50 % de femmes; 72 +/- 4 ans) n'etaient pas differentes en personne ou virtuellement pour ce qui est du test de marche sur place de deux minutes (moyenne [M] +/- ecart-type en personne = 87,9 +/- 18,5; M virtuellement = 87,2 +/- 20,7; p = 0,65), du test de flexion de bras de 30 secondes (M en personne = 16,9 +/- 4; M virtuellement = 16,5 +/- 4; p = 0,43), du test assis-debout de 30 secondes (M en personne = 15,6 +/- 5; M virtuellement = 15,2 +/- 4; p = 0,36) et du test de flexion du tronc sur chaise (M en personne = 1,2 +/- 15; M virtuellement = 4,2 +/- 11; p = 0,06).Conclusions :l'execution du SFT modifie en milieu virtuel peut etre un mode de prestation utile pour les aines et les professionnels de la sante lorsqu'il est impossible d'effectuer les tests en personne.

Automated summary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person training facilities were closed, the Senior Fitness Test (SFT) conducted in a virtual setting was found to be as effective as the in-person test for evaluating older adults' mobility, strength, and flexibility.