Senior fitness test; a useful tool to measure physical fitness in persons with acquired brain injury.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and usability of the senior fitness test (SFT) in persons with acquired brain injury (ABI).

METHODS: A pilot cohort design with a convenience sample of persons with ABI was used.

RESULTS: Persons with ABIs (n = 47) were younger than their healthy counterparts (n = 172) were but performed significantly worse on sit to stand, 6-min walk test (6MWT) and 2.45-m up and go. This difference was accentuated in the age groups >60 years of age. Persons with ABIs, divided into subgroups traumatic brain injury (TBI; n = 12) and cerebral insult (CI; n = 35), showed significant differences in leg strength, upper extremity flexibility and walking capacity. Persons with CI were weaker, less flexible in upper and lower extremities, walked shorter distance and were less mobile. CI but not TBI performed significantly worse when compared to healthy elderly persons.

CONCLUSION: This study indicates that SFT is feasible, safe and useful tool for persons with ABI, to evaluate physical capacity, endurance, strength and flexibility. The submaximal test was well tolerated and could be performed by all participants irrespective of age or diagnosis. The distribution of test scores indicates responsiveness to change and no ceiling or floor effects.