title: Reliability and validity of physical fitness field tests for adults aged 55 to 70 years.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of field tests for assessing physical function in mid-aged and young-old people (55-70 y). Tests were selected that required minimal space and equipment and could be implemented in multiple field settings such as a general practitioner's office. Nineteen participants completed 2 field and 1 laboratory testing sessions. Intra-class correlations showed good reliability for the tests of upper body strength (lift and reach, R= .66), lower body strength (sit to stand, R = .80) and functional capacity (Canadian Step Test, R= .92), but not for leg power (single timed chair rise. R = .28). There was also good reliability for the balance test during 3 stances: parallel (94.7% agreement), semi-tandem (73.7%), and tandem (52.6%). Comparison of field test results with objective laboratory measures found good validity for the sit to stand (cf 1RM leg press, Pearson r= .68, p < .05), and for the step test (cf PWC140, r = -.60, p < .001), but not for the lift and reach (cf 1RM bench press, r = .43, p > .05), balance (r = -.13, -.18, .23) and rate of force development tests (r = -.28). It was concluded that the lower body strength and cardiovascular function tests were appropriate for use in field settings with mid-aged and young-old adults.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ritchie
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Trost
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Armit
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results