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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Place the chair against a wall so it does not move.
The client sits with their back against the chair.
Feet are flat on the floor.
Arms are crossed over the chest where possible.
Explain and demonstrate the movement.
Instruct: “Stand up and sit down five times as quickly and safely as you can.”
Start timing on “go”.
The client stands fully upright and then returns to sitting.
Repeat for five total repetitions.
Stop timing according to the chosen protocol, usually when the client reaches full standing on the fifth repetition.
Record the time in seconds.
Record any use of arms, incomplete standing, loss of balance, pain or symptoms.
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
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+.
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.
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 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
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
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.
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
It measures the time taken to complete five sit-to-stand repetitions and provides practical information about lower-limb functional performance.
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.
The standard version usually uses arms crossed over the chest. If arms are used, record it as a modified version.
A standard chair height of approximately 43–45 cm is commonly used, but the exact height should always be recorded.
No. A slower time may suggest reduced functional performance, but it does not identify the cause on its own.
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.
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.
