FIVE TIMES SIT-TO-STAND TEST COMPLETION TIMES AMONG OLDER WOMEN: INFLUENCE OF SEAT HEIGHT AND ARM POSITION

Objective: To investigate the interaction of seat height and arm position with completion times for the Five Times Sit-To-Stand test (FTSTS) in older women. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University-based rehabilitation centre. Subjects: Thirty-three women (mean age 61.8 years, standard deviation 5.3) participated in this cross-sectional study. Methods: Time taken to complete the FTSTS with different seat heights (85%, 100% and 115% of knee height) and arm positions (arms across chest, or hands on thighs) was measured with a stopwatch. Results: FTSTS completion times differed significantly between seat heights of 85% and 115% knee height and between seat heights of 100% and 115% knee height for both arm positions.. There was no significant difference between FTSTS completion times for the 2 arm positions at any seat height. Conclusion: A lower seat height resulted in longer FTSTS completion times in women over 55 years of age, whereas arm position did not significantly affect FTSTS completion times.