Strength Endurance Test: 5-Time Sit-to-Stand Test

The 5-Time Sit-to-Stand Test, also known as the Five-Times-Sit-to-Stand Test or FTSST, measures how quickly a client can complete five sit-to-stand repetitions from a chair. A large 2025 pooled analysis using data from 45,470 adults aged 50 years and older across 14 European countries established updated reference values for the test.  

Introduction

The sit-to-stand movement is one of the most common functional lower-limb tasks. It requires lower-limb strength, coordination, balance, trunk control and confidence. The 5-Time Sit-to-Stand Test is widely used because it is quick, low cost and easy to repeat.

Unlike a maximal strength test, the FTSST assesses how efficiently a client can repeatedly move from sitting to standing. It may provide useful information about lower-limb performance, mobility and progress over time, but it should be interpreted alongside other assessment findings.

Quick Summary

Test name: 5-Time Sit-to-Stand Test
Common abbreviations: 5TSTS, FTSST
Category: Lower-limb performance / strength endurance / functional mobility
Primary score: Time to complete five sit-to-stand repetitions
Equipment: Standard chair, stopwatch, Measurz recording
Best suited to: Adults, older adults, general fitness and functional performance monitoring
Key limitation: Results are influenced by chair height, arm position, balance confidence, pain and movement strategy.

What Is This Assessment?

The 5-Time Sit-to-Stand Test requires the client to stand up and sit down five times as quickly and safely as possible from a standard chair. The time taken to complete all five repetitions is recorded.

The test has been used widely in adult and older adult populations. Recent large-scale reference data support its use as a practical functional performance measure, particularly when age and protocol are considered.  

Why It Is Used

The FTSST may be used to assess:

• Lower-limb functional performance
• Sit-to-stand capacity
• Lower-limb strength endurance
• Functional mobility
• Progress over time
• Baseline comparison
• Change after an exercise or conditioning program

What It Measures

The primary score is:

Time to complete five sit-to-stand repetitions

The result may reflect:

• Lower-limb strength
• Lower-limb power
• Balance confidence
• Coordination
• Trunk control
• Movement speed
• Chair height influence
• Pain or symptom response
• Motivation and understanding of instructions

It does not isolate one muscle group or confirm the reason for reduced performance.

Who It Is Useful For

The FTSST may be useful for:

• Adults and older adults
• General fitness clients
• Clients monitoring functional performance
• Exercise professionals
• Strength and conditioning professionals
• Professionals tracking lower-limb progress over time

It may need modification or caution if the client cannot stand safely without assistance.

Equipment Required

• Straight-backed chair
• Chair height recorded, ideally approximately 43–45 cm
• Stopwatch
• Non-slip floor
• Optional Measurz stopwatch for timing
• Optional Measurz rep counter for recording sit-to-stand repetitions in related endurance formats
• Optional AR measurement or measuring tool to document chair height and setup consistency
• Optional video notes for movement-quality review
• Measurz / MAT platform for recording the result, symptoms, setup and retest comparison

Measurz can place the FTSST alongside other lower-limb tests, outcome measures, ROM tests, orthopaedic tests and strength/endurance assessments. For maximal strength profiling, MAT content can also link related lower-limb strength tests, including submaximal 1RM testing where relevant.

Step-by-Step Protocol

1. Setup

1. Place the chair against a wall so it does not move.
2. The client sits with their back against the chair.
3. Feet are flat on the floor.
4. Arms are crossed over the chest where possible.
5. Explain and demonstrate the movement.

2. Test Procedure

1. Instruct: “Stand up and sit down five times as quickly and safely as you can.”
2. Start timing on “go”.
3. The client stands fully upright and then returns to sitting.
4. Repeat for five total repetitions.
5. Stop timing according to the chosen protocol, usually when the client reaches full standing on the fifth repetition.
6. Record the time in seconds.
7. Record any use of arms, incomplete standing, loss of balance, pain or symptoms.

Scoring and Interpretation

The primary score is:

Completion time in seconds

A faster time generally suggests better sit-to-stand performance. Interpretation should consider:

• Chair height
• Arm position
• Foot placement
• Balance confidence
• Pain
• Symptoms
• Familiarisation
• Whether full standing occurred each repetition
• Whether the timer stopped at full stand or final sitting position

Normative Data, Benchmarks or Reference Values

The strongest current reference source is the 2025 pooled analysis of 45,470 adults aged 50 years and older from 14 European countries. This study found that FTSST performance worsened with age and provided percentile-based reference values for adults aged 50+.  

Practical Adult Interpretation Guide

Use these as broad field-use ranges:

• Strong performance: under 10 seconds
• Typical functional performance: 10–15 seconds
• Slower performance requiring context: 15–20 seconds
• Low current sit-to-stand performance: over 20 seconds

These values should be interpreted with age, sex, chair height, symptoms, physical activity level and testing protocol.

Reliability and Validity

Sit-to-stand tests are widely used to assess functional capacity because the movement is mechanically demanding and involves large muscle groups from the legs and trunk. Recent research continues to support the importance of age- and sex-specific reference values for sit-to-stand testing.  

Reliability improves when:

• Chair height is consistent
• Arm position is consistent
• Timing start and stop points are defined
• Instructions are standardised
• Practice trials are controlled
• Foot position is recorded
• Assistance is not used unless recorded

Common Errors and Limitations

Common errors include:

• Different chair heights between tests
• Allowing arm push-off without recording it
• Stopping the timer at a different point
• Incomplete standing
• Incomplete sitting
• Poorly explained instructions
• Ignoring pain, dizziness, symptoms or confidence
• Comparing modified and standard versions directly

Practical Applications

The FTSST can help professionals:

• Monitor lower-limb functional progress
• Compare baseline and retest results
• Track performance over an exercise block
• Support older adult functional assessment
• Combine with balance, gait speed, grip strength or wall sit testing
• Educate clients using an easy-to-understand performance score

How to Record This in Measurz / MAT

Record:

• Test name: 5-Time Sit-to-Stand Test
• Time in seconds
• Chair height
• Arm position
• Foot position
• Timing method
• Whether full standing occurred
• Pain score
• Symptoms
• Balance confidence
• Use of arms or assistance
• Compensations
• Retest date
• Related lower-limb, balance or mobility results

The Measurz stopwatch supports consistent timing. The rep counter can be useful for related sit-to-stand endurance formats such as 30-second or 1-minute sit-to-stand testing. AR measurement can help document chair height or setup distances when required. This test can sit within a broader MAT assessment pathway that includes orthopaedic tests, ROM, outcome measures, strength tests and endurance assessments.

Related Tests or Internal Links

• Wall Sit Test
• 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test
• 1-Minute Sit-to-Stand Test
• Gait Speed
• Timed Up and Go
• Single-Leg Balance
• Calf Raise Endurance Test

FAQs

What does the 5-Time Sit-to-Stand Test measure?

It measures the time taken to complete five sit-to-stand repetitions and provides practical information about lower-limb functional performance.

What is a good 5-Time Sit-to-Stand score?

Under 10 seconds is generally strong for many adults, while 10–15 seconds is commonly seen in typical adult functional performance. Age, sex and protocol should always be considered.

Can the client use their arms?

The standard version usually uses arms crossed over the chest. If arms are used, record it as a modified version.

What chair height should be used?

A standard chair height of approximately 43–45 cm is commonly used, but the exact height should always be recorded.

Does a slow score diagnose a condition?

No. A slower time may suggest reduced functional performance, but it does not identify the cause on its own.

Key Takeaways

• The FTSST is a quick, practical lower-limb functional performance test.
• The primary score is completion time in seconds.
• Large recent datasets provide useful reference values for adults aged 50 years and older.
• Chair height, arm use and timing method must be standardised.
• Measurz can track time, setup, symptoms and progress over time.

References

Grgic, J., Schoenfeld, B. J., Maier, A. B., & Pedisic, Z. (2025). Reference values for the five-times-sit-to-stand test: A pooled analysis including 45,470 participants from 14 countries. GeroScience. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-025-01863-8   

MedBridge. (2026). 5 times sit to stand test: How to administer, interpret, and apply norms.