nousutesti

Nousutesti, literally the "rise test" in Finnish, refers to a family of functional mobility assessments used to measure lower-limb strength and independence in daily activities. In clinical practice, it is most closely associated with sit-to-stand assessments, including the five-times sit-to-stand test (5-STS) and the 30-second chair stand test.

In the 5-STS, the person sits in a standard-height chair with arms folded across the chest and is instructed to stand up and sit down five times as quickly as possible. The time to complete the five cycles is recorded. In the 30-second test, the person stands up and sits down as many times as possible in 30 seconds, with the number of complete stands counted.

Interpretation: Shorter times and higher repetition counts indicate better lower-limb strength and functional mobility. Results are typically compared with normative data stratified by age and sex, and can help assess fall risk, rehabilitation progress, and preoperative fitness.

Applications: Used in geriatrics, rehabilitation after stroke or hip/knee surgery, chronic respiratory diseases, and for general functional assessment. The test is valued for its simplicity, low cost, and minimal equipment, usually requiring only a standard chair.

Limitations: Performance can be affected by balance, pain, arthritis, or the use of armrests, and it does not directly measure muscle mass. Some patients with severe mobility impairment may be unable to perform the test.

See also: Sit-to-stand test, Timed Up and Go, Short Physical Performance Battery, chair stand tests.