Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Features, management, and long-term outcome in dogs with pancreatitis and bile duct obstruction treated medically and surgically: 41 dogs (2015-2021).

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2023

Same author

Feedback Training Improves Compliance with Sternal Precaution Guidelines during Functional Mobility: Implications for Optimizing Recovery in Older Patients after Median Sternotomy.

Applied bionics and biomechanics·2021

Same author

Cardiac autonomic activity during simulated shift work.

Industrial health·2018

Same author

Separation of circadian- and behavior-driven metabolite rhythms in humans provides a window on peripheral oscillators and metabolism.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2018

Same author

The circadian clock regulates cisplatin-induced toxicity and tumor regression in melanoma mouse and human models.

Oncotarget·2018

Same author

Predicting falls in community dwelling older adults using the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale.

Archives of gerontology and geriatrics·2017

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Author Spotlight: Innovations in iTUG Test for Enhanced Risk Assessment and Cognitive Insights

Author Spotlight: Innovations in iTUG Test for Enhanced Risk Assessment and Cognitive Insights

Published on: October 25, 2024

Predicting falls in older adults using the four square step test.

Kimberly Cleary¹, Elena Skornyakov²

¹a Department of Physical Therapy , Eastern Washington University , Spokane , WA , USA.

Physiotherapy Theory and Practice

|August 4, 2017

Summary

The Four Square Step Test (FSST) effectively assesses balance and predicts falls in older adults. This valid tool helps identify individuals at higher risk, aiding physical therapists in clinical practice.

Keywords:

Balance falls four square step test older adults

More Related Videos

Design and Analysis for Fall Detection System Simplification

Design and Analysis for Fall Detection System Simplification

Published on: April 6, 2020

Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty

Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty

Published on: October 6, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 25, 2026

Author Spotlight: Innovations in iTUG Test for Enhanced Risk Assessment and Cognitive Insights

Author Spotlight: Innovations in iTUG Test for Enhanced Risk Assessment and Cognitive Insights

Published on: October 25, 2024

Design and Analysis for Fall Detection System Simplification

Design and Analysis for Fall Detection System Simplification

Published on: April 6, 2020

Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty

Exergaming in Older People Living with HIV Improves Balance, Mobility and Ameliorates Some Aspects of Frailty

Published on: October 6, 2016

Area of Science:

Gerontology
Physical Therapy
Biomechanics

Background:

Balance impairment is a significant risk factor for falls in community-dwelling older adults.
Performance-based tests are crucial for assessing fall risk and guiding interventions.
The Four Square Step Test (FSST) is a tool designed to evaluate dynamic balance and stepping ability.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Four Square Step Test (FSST) in independent older adults.
To determine the FSST's ability to distinguish between fallers and non-fallers.
To assess the FSST's predictive value for future falls in this population.

Main Methods:

Forty-five community-dwelling older adults with varied fall histories participated.
Participants completed the FSST, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and Tinetti assessments.
Future falls were prospectively monitored for 12 months post-testing.

Main Results:

The FSST demonstrated accuracy in differentiating between non-fallers and multiple fallers.
A 15-second threshold on the FSST effectively distinguished multiple fallers from non-multiple fallers.
FSST performance significantly correlated with BBS, TUG, and Tinetti scores, indicating concurrent validity.
The FSST successfully predicted future falls in the study cohort.
The test is not suitable for older adults who use walkers.

Conclusions:

The Four Square Step Test (FSST) is a valid and reliable measure for assessing balance in ambulatory older adults.
The FSST serves as an effective tool for predicting fall risk in community-dwelling older populations.
Physical therapists should consider incorporating the FSST into their clinical assessments for balance and fall prevention strategies.