30 Seconds Sit To Stand Test
Page Summary
- The 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (STS30) measures how many times a person rises from a chair to full standing in 30 seconds with arms folded, assessing lower limb strength.
- The STS30 screens older adults for increased falls risk, where a score below the age- and sex-specific range (for example 12 to 17 repetitions in women aged 60 to 64) prompts further assessment.
- Reliability is good to excellent across older adults, hip or knee osteoarthritis, haemodialysis, multiple sclerosis and healthy young adults, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of 0.89 to 0.98.
- Validity shows weak to very high correlations with muscle performance (r = 0.39 to 0.78) and mobility tests (r = 0.32 to 0.72), so no single test predicts falls alone.
Introduction
The 30 Second Sit-to-Stand Test (STS30) was developed by Rikli and Jones as part of the Fullerton Functional Fitness Test Battery to assess lower body strength in older adults.[1][2] The test measures the number of times an individual can rise from a seated position to a full standing position within 30 seconds with their arms in folded position across the chest.[3]
It provides a simple, cost-effective and reliable method of assessing functional lower extremity strength, which is essential for everyday activities.[1]
Intended Population
- Primary target group: Community-dwelling older adults[1][3]
- Clinical populations: Musculoskeletal, respiratory, internal and neurological conditions[4][5][6][7]
- Reference values: Available for ages 60-94 years[3]
Although initially developed for older adults, it may also be relevant for younger adults.[8] This test could be particularly interesting in sports and rehabilitation, as lower extremity strength contributes to athletic performance.[8]
Method of Use
The following section describes the standardised procedure of the STS30, based on the protocol of Jones et al.[1] It covers the required equipment, the execution of the test and the rules for scoring repetitions.
Equipment
The items required to carry out the test are an armless chair with a seat height of 43.2 cm (17 inches), placed against a wall with rubber caps on the chair legs, and a stopwatch.[1]
Performing the test
The person being tested is instructed to sit in the centre of the chair.[1] The feet should be about shoulder width apart and one is placed slightly in front of the other.[1] The arms should be crossed in front of their torso so that they cannot use them for support.[1] The participant is instructed to perform as many sit-to-stand cycles as possible at maximum effort, whilst ensuring safe execution.[1] The person should carry out a trial run before actually performing the exercise to get a feel for the movement.[1] The test subject should start on the command ‘Go’, and the examiner should start the stopwatch at the same time.[1] After 30 seconds, the number of cycles actually completed is recorded.[1]
Administration & Scoring
The test supervisor counts the repetitions quietly.[1] Only attempts that have been completed in full are counted.[1] If, at the end of the 30 seconds, the person being tested has managed to complete more than half of the standing-up attempt, one full cycle is counted.[1] If the person cannot rise without using their arms it should be scored as a 0.[1]
The table shows the typical repetition range that should be completed. A score below the lower value in the table is considered below average. A below-average number of stands for the patient’s age group indicates an increased risk of falls.[9] The number of stands was selected based on the 25th to 75th percentile range for the STS30.[3]
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 60-64 | 12 - 17 | 14 - 19 |
| 65-69 | 11 - 16 | 12 - 18 |
| 70-74 | 10 - 15 | 12 - 17 |
| 75-79 | 10 - 15 | 11 - 17 |
| 80-84 | 9 - 14 | 10 - 15 |
| 85-89 | 8 - 13 | 8 - 14 |
| 90-94 | 4 - 11 | 7 - 12 |
Clinical Implications
The STS30 is mainly used as a screening tool to identify older adults at increased risk of falls.[1] The table below summarises how to interpret the result and how it is applied in clinical practice. Since falls are multifactorial, the test should be used as one part of a wider assessment rather than on its own.[11]
| Aspect | Key point | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interpretation | A score below the age- and sex-specific average should prompt in further assessment. | Jones et al., 1999[1] | |
| Use in practice | The same approach is used in fall-prevention toolkits for example the Center for Disease Control and Prevention STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries) and in the Fullerton Functional Fitness Test Battery. | Rikli & Jones, 1999 | |
| Limitation | No single test accurately predicts fall risk on its own. | Lusardi et al., 2017[11] | |
| Recommended combination | Use alongside balance tests and the Timed Up and Go test | Rikli & Jones, 2001[2] |
Evidence
The psychometric properties of the 30-second Sit-to-Stand test (STS30) have been examined in a variety of populations. This section summarises the available evidence on its reliability and its validity.
Reliability
The STS30 has demonstrated good to excellent reliability in several populations, including community-dwelling older adults, people with hip or knee osteoarthritis, patient on haemodialysis, Multiple Sclerosis and healthy young adults.[1][8][4][5] However, reliability estimates should be interpreted in the context of the populations studied and the measurement protocol used.
| Population | Type | Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community-dwelling older adults | Test-retest | 0.89 | Jones et al., 1999[1] |
| Community-dwelling older adults (pilot study) | Inter-rater | 0.95 | Jones et al., 1999[1] |
| Hip/knee osteoarthritis (OA), awaiting joint replacement | Test-retest | 0.97-0.98 | Gill & McBurney, 2008[4] |
| Hip/knee OA, awaiting joint replacement | Inter-rater | 0.93-0.98 | Gill & McBurney, 2008[4] |
| Haemodialysis patients | Test-retest | > 0.90 | Figueiredo et al., 2021[5] |
| Healthy young adults | Test-retest | 0.93 | Lein et al., 2022[8] |
| Multiple Sclerosis | Inter-rater | 0.98 | Polidori et al., 2024[6] |
A 2022 literature review by Slak & Rugelj reported high to excellent reliability for the STS30.[7] Agreement was high when the same examiner repeated the test (intra-rater reliability, ICC = 0.84-0.98) and when different examiners scored it (inter-rater reliability, ICC = 0.93-0.98). This indicates that the result depends little on who performs the scoring.[7]
The reviewed studies included healthy older adults, older adults admitted to an emergency department, and people with musculoskeletal conditions (for example knee osteoarthritis or joint replacement), respiratory diseases (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, pulmonary hypertension), Parkinson’s disease or head and neck cancer. The sample sizes ranged from 22 to 207 participants, and the mean age ranged from about 50 to 76 years.[7]
Validity
Regarding validity, the test results showed weak to very high correlations with muscle performance (r = 0.39-0.78) and with mobility tests (r = 0.32-0.72). Furthermore, the test distinguished well between physically active and less active individuals, and scores decreased with increasing age. As reliability and validity were determined in different groups, the results should be generalised to other populations with caution.[7]
Safety Considerations
Before testing, consider whether the person can safely perform repeated maximal-effort standing, for example if they have acute injury, pain, illness or severe balance impairment. Seek medical advice if there is any doubt about safety.
To prevent the person being tested from falling, they should wear sturdy shoes. The area around the chair should be kept clear. Whilst performing the test the examiner should stand right next to the person.[1]
Conclusion
The STS30 is a simple, reliable and inexpensive test of lower-limb strength that helps to identify older adults at increased risk of falls.[1] Because it measures only one aspect of function and was validated in specific populations, results should be interpreted with caution and alongside other assessments.[1][8][4][5][7]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 Jones CJ, Rikli RE, Beam WC. A 30-s chair-stand test as a measure of lower body strength in community-residing older adults. Res Q Exerc Sport. 1999;70(2):113-9.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Rikli RE, Jones CJ. Senior fitness test manual. Champaign (IL): Human Kinetics; 2001.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Rikli RE, Jones CJ. Functional fitness normative scores for community-residing older adults, ages 60–94. J Aging Phys Act. 1999;7(2):162-81.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Gill S, McBurney H. Reliability of performance‐based measures in people awaiting joint replacement surgery of the hip or knee. Physiotherapy Research International. 2008 Sep;13(3):141-52.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Figueiredo PH, de Souza Veloso LR, Lima MM, Vieira CF, Alves FL, Lacerda AC, Lima VP, Rodrigues VG, Maciel EH, Costa HS. The reliability and validity of the 30-seconds sit-to-stand test and its capacity for assessment of the functional status of hemodialysis patients. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2021 Jul 1;27:157-64.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Polidori A, Malagoli M, Giacalone R, Brichetto G, Monti Bragadin M, Prada V. 30-second chair stand and 5-times sit-to-stand tests are interesting tools for assessing disability and ability to ambulate among patients with multiple sclerosis. Life (Basel). 2024;14(6):703.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 Slak V, Rugelj D. Measurement properties of 30-second sit-to-stand test. Fizioterapija. 2022;30(1):41.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Lein DH Jr, Alotaibi M, Almutairi M, Singh H. Normative reference values and validity for the 30-second chair-stand test in healthy young adults. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2022;17(5):907-14.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Assessment: 30-Second Chair Stand (STEADI) [Internet]. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2017 [cited 2026 Oct 26].
- ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 30-Second Chair Stand Test. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkV0UvjXgcs (accessed 26 November 2023).
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Lusardi MM, Fritz S, Middleton A, Allison L, Wingood M, Phillips E, et al. Determining risk of falls in community dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis using posttest probability. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2017;40(1):1-36.