Six test exercises to assess weaknesses in four physical abilities related to fall risk

Abstract Weaknesses in physical ability related to fall risk need to be identified and reversed as early as possible. Eleven physical test exercises have shown to be able to assess weaknesses in four physical abilities related to fall risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of predefined pass criteria for the 11 test exercises in older adults and to determine whether the number of test exercises assessing balance and strength could be reduced without loss of relevant information on weakness in physical ability related to fall risk. Fisher’s exact test was performed to evaluate if the number of test exercises can be reduced. The result shows that: (i) The predefined pass criteria for the test exercises are achievable in older adults, (ii) the number of test exercises assessing balance can be reduced but not those assessing strength. It can be concluded that six of the evaluated test exercises are achievable in older adults and can assess weakness in physical ability related to fall risk for them. These six test exercises can identify kinds of weaknesses related to fall risk and assess the severity of the weakness.