Reference values of chair stand test and associations of chair stand performance with cognitive function in older adults

Abstract

Background: Chair stand performance is a good predictor of future disability onset among older adults. This study aimed to establish reference values of five-times chair-stand test stratified by age and gender, and to determine the association of chair stand performance with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) status and multidimensional cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 604 community-dwelling older adults (mean age, 74.0; women, 63.1%). The five-times chair-stand test was measured, and the mean and SD were calculated as reference values for each age category in intervals of five years. Participants were classified into three groups based on tertiles (good, medium, and poor) in the five-times chair-stand test in each age group. Results: Mean (SD) values of the five-times chair-stand test in men and women were 8.2 s (2.6 s) and 8.2 s (2.9 s). Chair stand performance declined with advancing age and a significant decline in participants aged 80 years and older was observed. Poor chair stand performance (the lowest performance tertile) was significantly associated with MCI (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.18, 95% CI 1.41–3.36), lower attention (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.28–4.37), executive function (OR 2.69, 95% CI 1.63–4.45), and processing speed (OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.18–6.67) after controlling for covariates. Conclusions: Similar mean values of the five-times chair-stand test, 8.2 s were presented in older men and women, poor performance of chair stand was associated with MCI, specific domains of attention, executive function, and processing speed. Chair stand performance would be useful for case-finding with a greater risk of cognitive impairment among community-dwelling older adults.

Keywords

• Mild cognitive impairment
• Cognition
• Chair stands
• Lower extremity strength