Senior Fitness Testing

The Senior Fitness Test (SFT) includes 6 specialty tests that examine senior physical fitness.  The tests include the arm curl, chair stand test, chair sit and reach test, back scratch test, the 8-foot up-and-go test, and the 6 minute walk or 2 minute step test.  The SFT is a reliable and valid way to determine upper and lower body aerobic endurance.  These qualities are necessary for executing a variety of common tasks such as lifting, walking distances, climbing stairs, and carrying objects.

                      Arm Curl                                                               Chair Stand Test

Upon completion of the The Senior Fitness Test individual scores are compared to national values.  Both normative and criterion-referenced standards were developed for SFT based on a national study involving over 7,000 independent living older adults, ages 60 to 94, from 267 different test sites throughout the United States.  (1) These results can be used to design more effective strength and conditioning strategies within the physical therapy setting.

    Chair Sit and Rech Test                   Back Scratch Test                  8 Foot Up-and-Go Test

Senior Fitness Test Results and Recommendations: Upon completion, physician will recieve a Senior Fitness Score Card that provides outcomes and comments regarding individual test results.  Individualized test results will be used to formulate programs to focus on the following:

• Balance and Agility
• Strengthening
• Flexibility/Stretching
• Aerobic Conditioning

Two Minute Step Test

1 Rikli, Jones CJ. Functional fitness normative scores for community-residing older adults, ages 60-94. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. 1999;7:160-179