Relationship of prolonged sit-to-stand test duration and cardiovascular disease risk in Middle-aged and older adults: evidence from CHARLS.

Background: The 5-repetition sit-to-stand (5STS) test, a common physical performance measure, has been associated with various health outcomes, but its relationship with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk warrants further investigation.

Objectives: This study examined the association between 5STS test duration and CVD risk in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults.

Methods: Data were from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses using linear and logistic regression models assessed the relationship between 5STS duration and CVD risk. Subgroup analyses and restricted cubic spline models explored effect modifiers and non-linear trends.

Results: Longer 5STS duration was independently associated with higher CVD risk. Each additional second increased CVD odds (cross-sectional: OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.04; longitudinal: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06). A graded association was observed, with the highest quartile demonstrating approximately 1.5 times the risk compared to the lowest. Restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a steep risk increase at approximately 9.81 s.

Conclusions: The 5STS test is a potential non-invasive predictor of CVD risk and may be useful for early detection in clinical settings. Further research across diverse populations is needed.