Best Protocol for the Sit-to-Stand Test in Subjects With COPD

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science
• Clinical Assessment

Background:

• Various sit-to-stand test (STS) protocols exist for assessing COPD functional capacity.
• The 5-repetition STS, 30-second STS, and 1-minute STS are commonly used.
• Correlation with clinical outcomes and prediction of daily activity are key considerations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To correlate different STS protocols (5-rep, 30-s, 1-min) with clinical outcomes in COPD.
• To compare the association and agreement among these STS protocols.
• To determine if STS protocols predict functional exercise capacity and daily physical activity (PADL).

Main Methods:

• 23 COPD subjects performed three STS protocols.
• Assessments included the incremental shuttle walking test, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), 4-m gait speed (4MGS), and quadriceps strength.
• PADL, quality of life, and functional status were evaluated.

Main Results:

• The 1-min STS correlated significantly with 6MWT, 4MGS, and PADL.
• All STS protocols showed good agreement and correlation with each other.
• The 1-min STS elicited greater hemodynamic and symptomatic responses.

Conclusions:

• The 1-min STS demonstrates stronger correlations with clinical outcomes in COPD.
• Despite differences in speed and physiological demand, all STS protocols agree well.
• All three STS tests effectively differentiate between low and preserved exercise capacity.