title: The influence of chair seat height on the performance of community-dwelling older adults' 30-second chair stand test.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although chair seat height affects the performance of sit-to-stand movement, no previous study has examined the influence of chair seat height on the 30-second chair stand test (CST).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-five community-dwelling older adults (age 70.0 ± 6.3 years) performed the test from the standard height of 43 cm and then from five randomly ordered seat heights from 80 to 120 % of each participant's lower leg length.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chair seat height significantly influences the performance of community-dwelling older adults' 30-s CST (F = 57.50, p < 0.001). The mean score for standard conditions was significantly lower from those at 120, 110, and 100 % conditions (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the standard and 80 % conditions (p > 0.95) and between the standard and 90 % conditions (p = 0.353). When comparing the scores between the randomly ordered chair seat heights, all comparisons were significantly different (p < 0.001) except for the difference between the 120 and 110 % conditions (p = 0.104).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chair seat height's relation to the lower leg length should be considered when interpreting 30-s CST scores. Additionally, it is necessary to optimize the chair seat height when using the 30-s CST as an outcome measure for exercise intervention or to screen for people with weaker lower extremities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Tzu Chi University, Hualien County, 97004, Taiwan. kuo.yiliang@gmail.com
authors.forename: Yi-Liang
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings / Q000145:classification*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis