Relative and Absolute Reliability of 3 tests to assess the functional capacity in institucionalizated elderly women with fear of falling: a 12

Functional capacity is a very important issue because it implication in falls in institucionalizated elderly people when mobility is low. Ten meters walking test, timed up and go test and 30-s sit to stand test were assessed in 14 institucionalizated elderly women in two occasions 12 weeks apart. The data analysis consisted of calculating the relative reliability indices (intraclass correlation coefficients) and absolute (standard error of measurement and smallest real difference) and the representation of the data using the corresponding Bland-Altman plots. Results show high intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC&gt;0.80) and large absolute error rates for all test performed. As a conclusion, the procedure used for determining the temporal consistency of the test assessed in this study shown values high enough to consider it use as a method to assess changes in mobility in institucionalizated elderly women enrolled in interventions not longer than 12 weeks. <br />Key words: elderly, functional capacity, physical test, falls