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Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana University School of Medicine
Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health

Physical Function Tests

Six Minute Walk Test

The participant's blood pressure and heart rate reading are taken before starting this test. They are asked to walk as far as possible within six minutes by walking laps between two cones placed 20 meters (about 65 feet) apart in the hallway outside of the FIT Core. The participant is allowed to stop or slow down during the test if needed. Throughout the test, the researcher will provide time updates on total remaining time. At the end of the test, the researcher will obtain the participant’s heart rate a second time. Greater distances walking in 6 minutes reflects better exercise tolerance and functional status.


illustration shows a person walking around two cones in a loop. Text reads "as many loops as possible in six minutes" The person wears a blood pressure and hear rate monitor.

Balance Test

The participant stands on a platform that monitors their balance. Participants can leave their shoes on or take them off for this test. The test times how long (with a maximum time of 10 seconds) participants can stand in each of the following positions: 1) feet together and side-by-side; 2) heel of one foot adjacent and touching the big toe of the other foot (semi-tandem stance); 3) heel of one foot in front of and touching the toes of the other foot (tandem stance), and; 4) standing on one leg. Outcomes of this test provides insight to an individual's mobility.

outlines of steps show feet together, a stagger "semi-tandem" stance, a "full tandem" stance with the back foot directly behind the front foot, and one foot

Gait Speed

A timed walk for 4 meters (about 13 feet) on a level surface. The participant is timed on their normal walking pace and a fast walking pace. This measure has been shown to reflect health and functional status and is a predictor of survival in older adults.

illustration of two people walking, one at normal speed and one at a fast speed. a stopwatch in the corner times their walk.

Hand Grip Strength

The participant is given a device that measures grip strength. The participant is prompted to squeeze the device with their dominant hand as hard as they can for 3-5 seconds repeated 3 times. This measure is a way that we can look at an individual's overall strength and mobility.

an illustration shows a hand gripping a device that measures hand strength. The text reads "squeeze with dominant hand as hard as possible for 3-5 seconds"

Sit-to-Stand

The participant sits upright on a bench on a platform that monitors their balance. The participant is asked to cross their arms across their chest, stand up, and sit back down as many times as they can within 30 seconds. If the participant is unable to complete this task with their arms crossed, they may do a modified version of this test in a chair with armrests. Greater amount of stands in 30 seconds represents greater leg strength and power.

illustration shows a person moving from sitting to standing with their arms crossed on their chest. Text reads "repeat as many times as possible in 30 seconds"

Timed Up-and-Go

The Timed Up-and-Go test measures, in seconds, the time taken by an individual to stand up from a standard chair, walk a distance of 3 meters (approximately 10 feet), turn, walk back to the chair, and sit down. Faster times are associated with greater leg strength and power.

illustration shows a person performing the timed up-and-go test. First they begin seated. Then they stand and walk at a normal pace around a cone and back to their chair, where they sit back down. A stopwatch shows that this action is timed.