Reliability and validity of a full-body function Get-Up test in older adults

Identifying deficiencies in physical function in older adults is critical to evaluate important health outcomes like sarcopenia, but current protocols are expensive and require complex equipment. This study evaluates the reliability and validity of an inexpensive, simple new Get-Up test in older adults. It involves participants moving quickly from standing upright, to lying flat, then rising to a standing position unassisted. A total of 293 relatively healthy older adults without severe health conditions (e.g., cardiovascular, psychological, degenerative, or physical impairments) completed the Get-Up test twice for familiarization and twice for timed trials on two separate days alongside numerous validated clinical tests commonly used to assess strength, function, and fitness in older adults. ANOVA with post-hoc analysis and intraclass correlation (0.928 (95% CI [0.914, 0.940])) indicated strong reliability, with the second timed trial comparable to trials on a separate day. The Get-Up test was significantly (p <.0001) negatively correlated with all referenced measures of strength (Biodex peak torque, r = -.41, 1-repetition maximum, r = -.26, handgrip, r = -.38) and function (Short Physical Performance Battery, r = -.49, gait speed, r = -.39) and significantly (p <.0001) positively correlated with fitness (400-m walk, r =.70), which strongly predicted Get-Up test performance, suggesting good validity. Poor performance was associated with baseline sarcopenia prevalence (bottom tertile vs. top tertile: odds ratio 3.99 (95% CI 1.64-9.67)) and sarcopenia incidence after 1-year follow-up (hazard ratio 3.47 (1.10, 10.98)), suggesting potential to evaluate sarcopenia. This simple and safe Get-Up test requires minimal equipment, personnel, and expertise, yet it has good reliability and validity as a potential novel tool for full-body physical function in older adults that is associated with sarcopenia prevalence and incidence.