Functional Capacity Among Healthy Young Females of Saudi Arabia Using 1 Min Sit-To-Stand Test – A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Functional capacity of an individual is denoting their physical fitness which can be assessed using 6-minute walk test, 1min sit-to stand test etc. The objectives of our study are to assess the functional capacity of healthy young females of Saudi Arabia using 1 min STS and to investigate the relationship between age, height, weight, heart rate, rate of perceived exertion with 1 min STS test. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 52 young healthy females of Saudi Arabia from 18 to 30 years of age were participated. Results: Fifty-seven participants were voluntarily enrolled for this study, 5 were excluded and totally fifty-two participants were involved in this study. The average repetitions of 1 min sit-to-stand is 38 reps/min. The Pearson correlation analysis indicated that there is a weak and negative correlation between 1 min STS test repetitions and age (r=0.142 p=0.311) height, (r=0.122 p=0.39) and weight (r=0.297 p < 0.05). Weak, positive and significant correlation was observed between HR (T1), percentage of MHR (T1) and 1 min STS test repetitions with (r=0.303 p<0.05, r=0.282 p<0.05) respectively. There was a weak and positive correlation between 1 min STS test and Modified Borg scale (T1) (r=0.167, p=0.238). Conclusion: This study highlights the difference in performances of 1 min STS test between Saudi population and Western countries. The functional capacity of young adult Saudi females is reduced when compared to the western counterpart. This could be because of high prevalence of physical inactivity. KEY WORDS: 1 Min Sit-To-Stand Test, Functional Capacity, Physical Activity, Young Females.