No-kit assessment
30-Second Sit-to-Stand30STS
Where the TUG times a single mobility sequence, the 30-second sit-to-stand measures repeated lower-body power, the exact capacity behind rising from chairs, toilets, and cars all day. It is part of the Rikli & Jones Senior Fitness Test and has published age- and sex-banded norms.
Safety
Do not administer with recent lower-extremity fracture, acute cardiac event, uncontrolled hypertension, or post-surgical weight-bearing restrictions. Ensure the patient can perform one controlled sit-to-stand safely before attempting the timed test; guard throughout.
What you need
- Straight-backed chair without armrests, roughly 17 in seat height, placed against a wall so it cannot slide
- Stopwatch or phone timer
How to administer
- 1.Patient sits in the middle of the chair, back straight, feet flat, arms crossed at the wrists against the chest.
- 2.On 'go', the patient stands to full extension and returns fully to seated, repeating as many times as possible in 30 seconds.
- 3.Give a brief demonstration and one or two practice reps before timing.
- 4.Count each full stand; if the patient is more than halfway up when time expires, count it as a full stand.
- 5.Record the total number of full stands in 30 seconds.
Cutoffs and norms
| Age | Men: below-average if under | Women: below-average if under |
|---|---|---|
| 60-64 | 14 stands | 12 stands |
| 65-69 | 12 stands | 11 stands |
| 70-74 | 12 stands | 10 stands |
| 75-79 | 11 stands | 10 stands |
| 80-84 | 10 stands | 9 stands |
Approximate lower bounds of the normal range from the Senior Fitness Test; scoring below the age/sex range flags lower-body weakness and fall risk. Verify exact values against Rikli & Jones before clinical use.
Source: Rikli & Jones, 1999
More stands is better. A score below the age- and sex-matched range indicates lower-body weakness associated with fall risk and difficulty with functional transfers. Track serial change on the identical chair and setup.
References
- Rikli RE, Jones CJ. Development and validation of a functional fitness test for community-residing older adults. J Aging Phys Act. 1999;7(2):129-161. PubMed