| "An Exploratory Study Investigating the Effect of Armrest Support on 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Performance Among Physiotherapy Students”. |
| Paper ID : 1038-ISCSR3 (R1) |
| Authors |
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Rana Ali Shabrawy *, Mohamed Ibrahim Abdalla, Mariam Ahmed Awara, Mohamed Mansour Mahmoud, Seif Gasser Elbarbary, Hazem Mostafa Nofal University of Hertfordshire |
| Abstract |
| Background: The ability to transition from sitting to standing is a fundamental movement essential for daily activities, reflecting lower limb strength, balance, and overall functional mobility. The 30-Second Sit-to-Stand Test (30s STS) is widely utilized to assess lower extremity strength and endurance, particularly in older adults. However, its application extends to young adults, where it serves as a valuable tool for pre-session screening and predicting injury recovery and return-to-sport outcomes. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of armrest support on sit-to-stand performance in Year 1 and year 2 physiotherapy students (PTY1 & PTY2) to determine whether upper limb assistance influences test outcomes in a young, healthy population. Methods: A within-subjects experimental design was employed, wherein participants performed the 30s STS test under two conditions: with and without armrest support. The number of completed sit-to-stand repetitions within 30 seconds was recorded for each condition. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to assess statistical significance. Results: The findings indicated no significant difference in sit-to-stand performance between the two conditions (p = 0.079, Z = -1.756), suggesting that armrest support does not substantially affect the number of repetitions performed by young, healthy individuals. This aligns with previous research indicating that younger adults predominantly rely on lower limb strength rather than upper limb assistance when transitioning from sitting to standing. Conclusion: The results suggest that in young, physically active adults, armrest support does not significantly enhance or hinder sit-to-stand performance. These findings contribute to the understanding of sit-to-stand mechanics and may inform future research on functional mobility assessments in various populations. |
| Keywords |
| Keywords: Sit-to-stand performance, armrest support, 30s STS, functional mobility, lower limb strength. |
| Status: Abstract Accepted |