Norwegian reference values for the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB): the Tromsø Study.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Physical Therapy
• Public Health

Background:

• The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is a widely used tool for assessing physical performance.
• It comprises tests of walking speed, chair stand, and balance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish normative reference values for the SPPB in community-dwelling Norwegian adults aged 40 years and older.
• To analyze sex and age-specific differences in SPPB performance.
• To investigate potential floor and ceiling effects of the SPPB.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 7474 participants (aged 40+) in the 7th wave of the Tromsø study.
• Calculated mean values and standard deviations by sex and age group.
• Employed linear and quantile regression to estimate age-specific means and percentiles.

Main Results:

• The mean SPPB total score was 11.4 (SD 1.3), with men scoring higher than women on average.
• Significant sex differences were noted across all age groups.
• Physical function decline was most pronounced in the mid-sixties, slightly earlier in women.
• Ceiling effects were observed in all age groups.

Conclusions:

• The study provides current normative SPPB data for Norwegian adults aged 40+, useful for clinical interpretation and goal setting.
• The SPPB demonstrates limitations due to ceiling effects in assessing physical functioning across the spectrum of older adults.
• Recommends reporting SPPB performance by total score, chair stand time, and walking speed.