Measuring physical performance in later life: reliability of protocol variations for common performance-based...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Performance-based mobility tests are crucial for assessing physical function in aging populations.
• Varied protocols exist for tests like Timed Up and Go (TUG), gait speed, chair-rise, and single-leg stance (SLS), yet their reliability is often overlooked.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability of common assessment protocols for TUG, gait speed, chair-rise, and SLS across different adult age groups.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for selecting reliable mobility assessment tools.

Main Methods:

• Administered TUG (normal/fast pace, cognitive), gait speed (3m/4m), chair-rise (arms crossed/used), and SLS (preferred/both legs) to 147 participants aged 50-85+.
• Assessed relative and absolute reliability across two occasions within one week.
• Utilized intra-class correlation (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC).

Main Results:

• For younger adults (50-64), TUG fast-pace and 3m gait speed showed higher reliability than normal-pace and 4m gait speed, respectively.
• Chair-rise allowing arm use was more reliable than arms-crossed for all participants.
• Older adults (75+) demonstrated better SLS reliability using the preferred leg compared to both legs.

Conclusions:

• Reliability varies significantly among different protocols for common mobility tests.
• These findings can inform the selection of the most appropriate and reliable performance-based tests for older adults.
• Standardized, reliable protocols are essential for accurate measurement of mobility changes in aging research and clinical practice.