This resource was developed by bpac
nz
for the Health Quality & Safety Commission based on the STEADI falls campaign by the US Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC).
Patient name: Date: Time: AM/PM
NHI: Test carried out by:
The 30-Second Chair Stand Test
Overview: The 30 Second Chair Stand Test, in conjunction with
other measures such as the 4-Stage Balance Test,
Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test and an assessment of
postural hypotension can help to indicate if a patient
is at risk of falling.
Purpose: To test leg strength and endurance:
Equipment: A chair with a straight back, without arm rests,
placed against a wall to prevent it moving
A stopwatch/timer
Instructions to the patient:
1. Sit in the middle of the chair.
2. Place each hand on the opposite shoulder crossed at the wrists.
3. Place your feet at on the oor.
4. Keep your back straight and keep your arms against your chest.
5. On Go, rise to a full standing position and then sit back down again.
6. Repeat this for 30 seconds.
On Go begin timing.
Do not continue if you feel the patient may fall during the test.
Count the number of times the patient comes to a full standing position in 30 seconds and record it in the box below.
If the patient is over halfway to a standing position when 30 seconds have elapsed, count it as a stand. If the patient
must use his or her arms to stand then stop the test and record “0” for the number below.
Number: (See over page for what this means)
A below average number of stands for the patient’s age group indicates a high risk of falls.
Notes:
ASSESS
This resource was developed by bpac
nz
for the Health Quality & Safety Commission based on the STEADI falls campaign by the US Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC).
Chair stand – Number of stands by age group
1
MEN
Age group (years) Below Average Average Above Average
60 – 64 < 14 14 – 19 >19
65 – 69 < 12 12 – 18 >18
70 – 74 < 12 12 – 17 >17
75 – 79 < 11 11 – 17 >17
80 – 84 < 10 10 – 15 >15
85 – 89 < 8 8 – 14 >14
90 – 94 < 7 7 – 12 >12
WOMEN
Age group (years) Below Average Average Above Average
60 – 64 < 12 12 – 17 >17
65 – 69 < 11 11 – 16 >16
70 – 74 < 10 10 – 15 >15
75 – 79 < 10 10 – 15 >15
80 – 84 < 9 9 – 14 >14
85 – 89 < 8 8 – 13 >13
90 – 94 < 4 4 – 11 >11
1 Rikli R, Jones C, Functional tness normative scores for community-residing older adults, ages 60-94. J Aging Phys Activity 1999;7(2):162-81.