title: Intertrial and test-retest reliabilities of Timed Bridge tests among frail older adults.
abstract: The objective of this study was to assess the reliability of three versions of the Timed Bridge test (TB test) using the generalizability theory. A convenience sample of 30 frail older adults, from 65 to 94 years of age, performed three different TB Tests: 1) hold test (TB-Static); 2) five-repetitions dynamic test (TB-5rep); and 3) 60-second dynamic test (TB-60s). The tests were repeated twice on two occasions separated by a 48-hour interval. For each trial, the height of the bridge, the time of execution or the number of repetitions, the pain, and perceived effort were recorded. The intertrial and test-retest reliability for bridge heights were excellent. For the duration and the number of repetitions, a good intertrial reliability was found (0.83 <Phi< 0.94; SEMs 11.1 s, 2.9 s, and 4.2 rep), and the test-retest reliability was good for the TB-60 s and moderate for TB-Static and for the TB-5rep. The different tests were generally well tolerated by the subjects. The level of exertion perceived by the participants was light for the TB-5rep and moderate for the TB-Static and TB-60 s. The TB tests were simple to execute, showed good clinical applicability, and provided reliable measurements in a geriatric population.
authors.affiliation: Centre de santé et de services sociaux Bordeaux-Cartierville-St-Laurent, Centre hébergement Notre-Dame de la Merci, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3L 1K5. ccndi.physiotherapie@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
authors.forename: Manon
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pilon
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nadeau
authors.forename: France
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piotte
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength; D010807:Physical Endurance; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors