Functional reach of older adults: normative reference values based on new and published data

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
• Biomechanics and Motor Control

Background:

• The functional reach test is a key measure of balance and mobility in older adults.
• Establishing normative data is crucial for clinical assessment and intervention planning.
• Previous studies have varied in sample size and methodology, necessitating a consolidated analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative reference values for the standing functional reach test specifically for older adults.
• To provide a reliable benchmark for assessing functional reach in geriatric populations.

Main Methods:

• An observational study combined with a meta-analysis of published data.
• Data included 199 hypertensive older adults from the INFINITY study and 7535 participants from a consolidated dataset.
• Functional reach was the primary outcome measure, assessed in a clinical research setting.

Main Results:

• The mean functional reach for hypertensive older adults was 27.5 (7.2) cm.
• A meta-analysis of the consolidated sample yielded a weighted mean functional reach of 27.2 (0.9) cm.
• The 95% confidence interval for the consolidated sample was 25.5 to 28.9 cm.

Conclusions:

• The summarized data provide a valuable estimate of normal functional reach for older adults.
• These normative values can aid clinicians in evaluating balance and fall risk.
• Further data from large, population-based studies are anticipated to refine these estimates.