Relationship between performance in the 30-sec chair-stand test and physical function of first to fourth-grade elementary school students

Abstract

This study examined the usefulness of the 30-Second Chair Stand Test (CS-30),which was developed as a method to measure elderly peopleʼs lower limb muscle strength,for the physical fitness assessment of elementary school students. In addition to the CS-30 score and hand grip strength, the height, weight, number of sit-ups, sit-and-reach test score, repeated sideways jump time, standing long jump distance, and duration of the double-support period were measured in a total of 157 first to fourth-gradeelementary school students (male: 86, female: 71, mean age: 7.5±1.2). The sit-and-reach test score varied between males and females, but there were no sex differences in the other parameters. Correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between the CS-30 score and all physical function parameters, although such correlations were not observedwiththe height or weight. The results support the usefulness of CS-30 as a method to conveniently assess first to fourth-grade elementary school studentsʼphysical fitness without using special devices.