Functional capacity assessment through five-repetition sit-to-stand test: Reference values for people living at high-altitude.

Introduction: The five repetitions sit-to-stand test is commonly used to evaluate physical function, mainly to determine the risk of falls, and is also included as a component in other evaluations, such as the Short Physical Performance Battery. However, reference values are currently unavailable for populations living at high altitudes. This study aimed to establish normative values for the five repetitions sit-to-stand test in the population living 2500 meters above sea level.

Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional research was carried out, collecting data from two high-altitude cities in Ecuador. Healthy adults aged 18 to 80 were recruited. Anthropometric measurements, physical activity levels, and tobacco use were registered. Reference equations were determined using multiple linear regression separately for men and women. The predictive model was generated using stepwise method.

Results: 400 healthy subjects (58% women) were recruited in the study. The participants had a median (P25 to P75) height of 1.62 (1.56 to 1.68) m, weight of 63.0 (57.8 to 70.1) kg, and Body Mass Index of 24.2 (22.5 to 26.0) kg/m. For men aged 18 to 29 years, the results for the five repetitions sit-to-stand test ranged from (P25 to P75) 5.1 to 9.3 seconds and between 8.2 to 12.2 seconds for people aged 70 to 80 years. For women aged 18 to 29 years, the results for five repetitions sit-to-stand test ranged from (P25 to P75) 5.0 to 7.9 seconds and between 8.2 to 14.3 seconds in the range 70 to 80 years.

Conclusions: Reference values were established for the five repetitions sit-to-stand test in the healthy population living at high altitudes, between 18 and 80 years old.