Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

2011

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Health and Nutritional Sciences

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if the 30-s chair stand test, get-up- and-go test, and grip strength test are accurate measures of strength for the older adult population. The field tests; 30-s chair stand test, get-up-and-go test, and grip strength test; were compared to lower and upper body strength measured with the Cybex Isokinetic Dynamometer (laboratory test) to determine validity. The working hypothesis is that the 30s chair stand test, get-up-and-go test, and grip strength test will all provide valid measurements of lower body and upper strength, respectively in the older adult population. Methods: Seventy-six men and women (60-96 years of age) performed strength measurements of the right knee extensors and flexors at 60, 90, and 180°/sec and in the right elbow flex ors at 60 and 180°/sec. Field strength measurements were assessed using the 30-s chair stand test, get-up-and-go test, and grip strength test with use of a hand dynamometer. Results: The correlations of the lower and upper body field tests to the laboratory tests were moderate but significant. The strongest correlations were between knee flexion at 60° per second and the 30-s chair stand test (r=0.83), knee flexion at 60° per second and the get-up-and-go test (r= -0.79), and elbow flexion at 120° per second and grip strength (r=0.52). These values validate the 30-s chair stand test, get- up-and-go test, and grip strength test as valid measurement methods of strength in the older adult population. Also, an age associated decline in strength was present in the lower body (r= -0.33) but not in the upper body(r= -0.31). Conclusion: This study concluded that field tests such as the 30-s chair stand test, get-up-and-go test, and grip strength test can serve as valid strength assessments in the older adult population. Not all research supports this claim, especially involving the 30-s chair stand test, so more research needs to be conducted to further support the validity of such tests.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Physical fitness for older people -- Testing

Muscle strength -- Testing

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

48

Publisher

South Dakota State University

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