A study from the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), The Maldives National University (MNU), has established reference values for two commonly used measures of lower-body strength and functional mobility among older adults in Faafu Atoll, providing locally generated evidence that can support physiotherapy assessment and rehabilitation practice in the Maldives.
Published in “Working with Older People”, the study titled “Reference Values for 30-s Chair Stand Test and Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test Among Older Adults Living in Faafu Atoll” was conducted by Bachelor of Physiotherapy graduate Ismail Shaheedh and Ammar Suhail, Lecturer at the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. The article was published online on 17 December 2025.
The research focused on the 30-second Chair Stand Test (30-CST) and Five-Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5-STS), two functional assessments used to evaluate lower-body strength and mobility in older people. The study involved community-dwelling adults aged over 55 years from the five islands of Faafu Atoll, providing data drawn directly from a Maldivian island population.
For the 5-STS, females recorded a mean completion time of 11.33 ± 3.80 seconds, compared with 11.23 ± 3.30 seconds for males. The median number of repetitions completed during the 30-CST was 13 for both females and males. While performance did not differ significantly by gender, significant differences were observed across age groups. Age, height and leg length were also associated with test performance.
Establishing reference values within a Maldivian population is particularly relevant for clinical assessment. These benchmarks can assist physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals in interpreting functional mobility test results, identifying older adults who may be vulnerable to mobility limitations, planning appropriate interventions, and evaluating responses to rehabilitation or strength-training programmes.
The study adds a local evidence base to an area where assessments may otherwise depend on reference values derived from populations in other countries. Context-specific data can support more meaningful interpretation of functional performance among older Maldivians and contribute to approaches aimed at maintaining mobility, independence and quality of life as people age.
The publication grew from research undertaken within the Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme at FHS. Its progression into a peer-reviewed international journal article illustrates how programme-based research can address practical health needs while providing students with opportunities to participate in evidence generation and scholarly dissemination.
By focusing on functional health and healthy ageing, the research contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being. Its development through undergraduate physiotherapy research also reflects SDG 4: Quality Education, linking student learning with research that has potential relevance to clinical practice and community health.
The study provides a foundation for further research on functional mobility and healthy ageing across different populations and island communities in the Maldives.
The full article is available through this link- https://www.emerald.com/wwop/article-abstract/30/1/50/1329456/Reference-values-for-30-s-chair-stand-test-and
