Reliability and interchangeability of 1-minute sit-to-stand, 3-minute chair rise, and 3-minute walk tests in assessing functional capacity

Field exercise tests, such as the 1-minute sit-to-stand (1MSTST), 3-minute chair rise (3CRT), and 3-minute walk (3MWT), are practical yet underexplored assessments of functional capacity. This study evaluated their reliability, inter-test correlations, influencing variables, and physiological responses in healthy adults. A cross-sectional study recruited healthy individuals (18-65 years, BMI < 27.5 kg/m2) to perform two randomised trials of 1MSTST, 3CRT and 3MWT. Anthropometric data (age, weight, height) and vital signs [pulse rate (PR), blood pressure (BP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and rate of perceived exertion (RPE)] were recorded pre-and post-test. Eighty-eight participants (47 males, 41 females) achieved a median of 51 repetitions (IQR 33-62) in 1MSTST, 79 repetitions (IQR 60-103) in 3CRT and 316.0 metres (IQR 282.5-336.8) in 3MWT. Tests showed excellent reliability (ICC: 0.857-0.999, p < 0.001). 1MSTST and 3CRT strongly correlated (r = 0.816-0.820, p < 0.001); moderate correlations with 3MWT. Age, height, resting/post-test PR, post-test RPE, and systolic BP weakly to moderately correlated with all tests. The 1MSTST, 3CRT, and 3MWT are reliable, interchangeable functional capacity assessments. Future research should investigate broader populations to enhance the applicability of tests in various settings.