Protocols for Functional Assessments
Seated shoulder internal rotation flexibility
Seated towards the front of the chair, with plenty of room behind them, the client should try to reach
their dominant hand behind them to touch as far up their back towards their should blades as
possible (then repeat the test with the non-dominant hand)
The participant can:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Reach to behind their back to touch between or to the shoulder blades
Reach behind their back to just below their shoulder blades
Reach behind them to mid-back level (above waist)
Reach behind them to waist level
Reach behind them to buttock level
Not reach behind their back at all because of pain or movement limitation
Note: remember to denote the score for each arm (L and R) on the grid.
Seated shoulder external rotation flexibility
Seated towards the front of the chair, with plenty of room behind them, the client should try to reach
their dominant hand over the same shoulder as far down between the shoulder blades as possible
(then repeat the test with the non-dominant hand).
The participant can:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Reach over their shoulder to between their shoulder blades
Reach over their shoulder to the back of their neck
Reach behind their head to the level of their ears
Reach to the top of their head
Reach above shoulder level but cannot touch top of head without stooping
Not reach above shoulder level because of pain or movement limitation (frozen shoulder)
Note: remember to denote the score for each arm (L and R) on the grid.
Taken from Level 3 Award in Adapting Exercise for Independently Active, Older People Syllabus. Central YMCA
Qualifications 2012
Protocols for Functional Assessments
Seated hamstring flexibility
Seated towards the front of the chair, with the dominant leg extended so that the leg is as straight as
possible and the toes upwards, the client should lean forward; keeping a straight back and keeping
their eyes forward and head up, bend forward towards the toes of the extended leg (then repeat the
test with the non-dominant leg).
The participant can:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Reach to mid-calf of extended leg
Reach just past knee of extended leg
Reach to knee of extended leg
Reach to mid-thigh of extended leg
Reach to knee but unable to complete with correct technique
Not reach forward because of pain, deformity or fear of falling
Note: remember to denote the score for each leg (L and R) on the grid.
Timed up and go
Podsiadlo, DA, Richardson, S. The Timed Up and Go: A test of basic functional mobility for frail elder
persons. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society: 1991; 39: 142-148.
A hard chair should be placed
A hard chair should be placed 3m away from bollard or other marker, with a
clear space around. The participant should rise from the chair (asking them
to try to do this without using the arms), walk the 3m, turn around the
obstacle and return 3m to their chair and sit down. The whole movement
should be at normal pace and should be timed with a stopwatch.
The participant:
1. Is able to rise from the chair easily (without using the arms), walk unaided,
turn without dizziness or stumbling and return to sit in less than 8 seconds
2. Same as (1), but the movement takes between 8 and 15 seconds
3. Has difficulty on rising from the chair, walks unaided or with an aid, but
takes 16-24 seconds
4. Same as (3), but the movement takes between 25-40 seconds
5. Has difficulty raising from the chair, uses a walking aid, is unconfident or
dizzy and/or takes over 40 seconds
6. Is unable to rise from the chair, walk or turn without help from the assessor.
This test should be timed (from start of rise from the chair to sitting down again) so that any
improvements in time can be recorded and reported back to the participant. Record any use of a walking
aid.
Taken from Level 3 Award in Adapting Exercise for Independently Active, Older People Syllabus. Central YMCA
Qualifications
2012be placed
A hard
chair should
Protocols for Functional Assessments
Timed chair rise:
7. Rikli, RE and Jones, CJ (1999). Functional fitness normative scores for community-residing older
adults aged 60-94. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity: 7:162-181.
This test measures lower body power (speed with which people can use their muscles) and endurance.
Demonstrate the test first.
Equipment/set up: straight backed chair without arms (seat height so their knees are roughly parallel
with the floor). Chair is placed against wall or heavy object to prevent it from moving during test. A
stopwatch is also required.
Protocol: participant should sit in the middle of the chair (not with their back against the backrest) with
the back straight and feet on the floor. Arms are crossed over the chest.
Instructions to participant: after I say ‘GO’, I want you to stand up fully and sit down again, then
stand up fully again until I ask you to stop. I will see how many times you sit and stand in 30 seconds. I
would like you to try and do this with your arms folded across your chest, but if you feel you need to use
your arms on the chair, then please use them.
Scoring: the score is the total number of stands executed correctly within 30 seconds. If the participant
is more than halfway up at the end of the 30 seconds, it is counted as a full stand.
Adaptations if hand use is required: if the participant is unable to perform the task without use of
their hands during the practice trial, check ‘YES’ for the ‘Use of hands required?’ and make a note of
whether it was for the total 30 seconds of just towards the end.
Use of hands required? Y/N
If Yes, during the whole 30 seconds, or only towards end?
Number of sit to stands performed:
Comments:
Taken from Level 3 Award in Adapting Exercise for Independently Active, Older People Syllabus. Central YMCA
Qualifications 2012
Practical Activity
In pairs or small groups, work through each of the functional assessments to develop your
understanding of how the participant should carry out each of the tests, and also to practice
your explanations as an instructor to the individual taking part.
Record the results below. For the purpose of your case study you will record the results in
your LAR.
Taken from Level 3 Award in Adapting Exercise for Independently Active, Older People Syllabus. Central YMCA
Qualifications 2012
Functional Assessments – Results Form
Functional Assessment:
Score Result (1-6)
Arm Used (Right =R, Left = L)
R
Seated shoulder internal
rotation flexibility
L
R
Seated shoulder external
rotation flexibility
L
R
Seated hamstring flexibility
L
Use of a walking aid? Yes = Y, No =N
Timed up and go
Y
N
Timed Chair Rise:
Use of hands required? Y/N
If Yes, during the whole 30 seconds, or only towards end?
Number of sit to stands performed:
Comments:
Additional Information:
Taken from Level 3 Award in Adapting Exercise for Independently Active, Older People Syllabus. Central YMCA
Qualifications 2012