Research article - (2026)25, 529 - 535
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52082/jssm.2026.529
Can Changes in Sit-To-Stand Performance Throughout A 30-S Time Interval Be Used as A Marker of Performance Fatigability in Middle-Aged To Older Adults?
Max Riesbeck1,†, Antti Löppönen2,†, Jolien Deboutte1,3, Christophe Delecluse3, Lotta Palmberg2,4,5, Evelien Van Roie1,3,
1University of Hasselt, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, REVAL-Rehabilitation Research Center, Diepenbeek, Belgium
2University of Jyväskylä, Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences and Gerontology Research Center, Jyväskylä, Finland
3KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
4University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
5University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
† Equal contribution to the manuscript

Evelien Van Roie
✉ University of Hasselt, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, REVAL-Rehabilitation Research Center, Diepenbeek, Belgium
Email: evelien.vanroie@uhasselt.be
Received: 13-03-2026 -- Accepted: 31-05-2026
Published (online): 01-06-2026
Narrated in English

ABSTRACT

Performance fatigability during the 30-s sit-to-stand (STS) test is not well characterized despite its potential to detect early functional decline. Therefore, this study aimed to quantify temporal changes in power, trunk flexion and movement subphase durations during the 30sSTS, and to examine differences by age and sex. 93 middle-aged adults (50 males and 43 females; mean age 60.5 ± 3.0 years) and 102 older adults (48 males and 54 females; mean age 71.5 ± 5.0 years) performed a 30sSTS. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) mounted over the L4/L5 vertebral level were used to capture sit-to-stand power, trunk flexion and subphase durations in the first and last 10 s. Linear mixed-effects models evaluated temporal changes and group effects. Mean power declined (-11.9 W, d = -0.66), trunk flexion increased (+1.35°, d = 0.42), sit-to-stand duration lengthened and stand-to-sit duration decreased throughout the test (all p < 0.001). The within-test decrease in stand-to-sit duration was less pronounced in older compared to middle-aged adults (d = 0.42, p = .039). Older adults generated less power and spent more time in all subphases (p < 0.05). Females produced less power and greater trunk flexion (p < 0.001). The 30sSTS captures modest performance fatigability; but longer protocols may better reveal clinically meaningful decline. Future research should investigate mobility-limited individuals or examine associations with functional outcomes (frailty, mobility, balance) to provide additional insight.

Key words: Sit-to-stand test, lower-limb power, healthy aging, performance fatigability, functional performance

Key Points
  • This study provides the first detailed description of performance fatigability during the 30sSTS using IMU-based measures.
  • The 30sSTS can detect performance fatigability; however, observed differences are small in healthy adults.
  • Longer STS protocols may be needed to reveal clinically meaningful fatigability in healthy populations.








Back
|
Full Text
|
PDF
|
Share