HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Rapid Responses are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Cress, M E. Articles by Schenkman, M. L Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Cress, M E. Articles by Schenkman, M. L

Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance Test: Validity, Reliability, and Sensitivity of Data for the Short Version

ME Cress, PhD, FACSM, is Associate Professor, Department of Exercise Science and The Gerontology Center, University of Georgia, 300 River Rd, Athens, GA 30602-6554 (USA) (mecress{at}coe.uga.edu).
JK Petrella, PhD, is Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Geriatric Research, Education Clinical Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Alabama–Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala
TL Moore, MS, is a graduate assistant and doctoral student in the Department of Exercise Science, University of Georgia
ML Schenkman, PT, PhD, is Professor of Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colo

Address all correspondence to Dr Cress

Background and Purpose. The Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance Test (CS-PFP) can be used to obtain valid, reliable, and sensitive measurements of physical functional capacity. This test requires a fixed laboratory space and approximately 1 hour to administer. This study was carried out in 4 steps, or substudies, to develop and validate a short, community-based version (PFP-10) that requires less space and equipment than the CS-PFP. Subjects and Methods. Retrospective data (n=228) and prospective data (n=91) on men and women performing the CS-PFP or the PFP-10 are reported. A 12-week exercise program was used to examine sensitivity to change. Data analyses were done using paired t-test, Pearson correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and delta index (DI) procedures. Results. The PFP-10 total score and 4 of the 5 domain scores were statistically similar (within 3%) to those of the CS-PFP. The PFP-10 upper-body strength domain score was 17% lower, but was highly correlated (ICC=.97). Community and established laboratory PFP-10 scores were similar (ICC=.85–.97). The PFP-10 also is sensitive to change (DI=.21–.54). Discussion and Conclusion. The PFP-10 yields valid, reliable, and sensitive measurements and can be confidently substituted for the CS-PFP.

Key Words: Older adults • Physical capacity • Physical function

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Schenkman, D. Hall, R. Kumar, and W. M Kohrt Endurance Exercise Training to Improve Economy of Movement of People With Parkinson Disease: Three Case Reports Physical Therapy, January 1, 2008; 88(1): 63 - 76. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. I. Frisard, J. M. Fabre, R. D. Russell, C. M. King, J. P. DeLany, R. H. Wood, E. Ravussin, and for the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study Physical Activity Level and Physical Functionality in Nonagenarians Compared to Individuals Aged 60 74 Years J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., July 1, 2007; 62(7): 783 - 788. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]