Validity and reliability of the short physical performance battery in two diverse older adult populations in Quebec and Brazil.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the validity and reliability of the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) in adults 65 to 74 years old, capable in all basic activities of daily living (ADL), in Quebec and Brazil.

METHODS

Participants were recruited in St. Bruno (Quebec) by local advertisements (n = 60) and in Santa Cruz (Brazil) by random sampling (n = 64). The SPPB includes tests of gait, balance, and lower-limb strength. Disability status was categorized as intact mobility, limited mobility, and difficulty in any of ADL.

RESULTS

There was a graded decrease in mean SPPB scores with increasing limitation of lower limbs, disability, and poor health. Using the test-retest reliability the authors evaluated the intraclass correlation coefficient, which was high in both samples: .89 (95% CI: 0.83, 0.93) in St. Bruno and .83 in Santa Cruz (95% CI: 0.73, 0.89).

DISCUSSION: This study provides evidence for the validity and reliability of SPPB in diverse populations.