LIFE+ Blog

Multiple tests look at a person’s “functional strength.” Functional strength is the strength you need to perform activities of everyday life (i.e. standing up from a chair, walking within the home, getting into/out of the shower, etc). One test, in particular, is the “Five Times Sit to Stand.” It measures how quickly and safely an individual can fully stand up and sit down from an average-height chair without the use of their arms. Most healthy adults can complete this task in less than 10 seconds. An individual unable to complete this task in less than 13 seconds may be at increased risk for falls, have balance issues, or have decreased strength to perform the tasks they want to within the home.

Are you feeling competitive? Test how long it takes you to stand up and sit down 5 times. Does a friend or a loved one you know to struggle with getting up from a chair, such as requiring the use of their arms to get themselves up from a seated position? Talk to one of our physical therapists today! We can help. Physical therapists are skilled at evaluating an individual’s technique, offering recommendations for alternate strategies, and prescribing exercises that can improve one’s strength and balance in activities of everyday life.