[Get up, stand up! What sit-to-stand tests tell us about respiratory failure]

Diseases associated with chronic respiratory failure have a negative impact on quality of life and life expectancy, notably through a reduction in patients' functional capacity. Assessing balance, coordination, muscular strength and endurance, as well as exercise tolerance, is therefore an important component of the evaluation of individuals with chronic respiratory failure. This evaluation can be made easier by using simple tools such as sit-to-stand tests. This review presents the main sit-to-stand tests that have been described and that can be used in everyday practice. The aim is to provide information to the clinician on the contribution of each test, and to identify the extent to which and the purpose for which these tests can be incorporated into a routine pulmonology and/or respiratory rehabilitation evaluation. Because of their inherently functional nature, these tests could help to identify the indications and/or the effects of respiratory rehabilitation.