[Reference values for SPPB in people over 60 years of age in the Basque Country].

PURPOSE

To provide reference values of Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) in adults and older adults in the Basque Country by identifying cut-off points for measuring fragility and comparing the values with other populations in Spain.

LOCATION

Bilbao capital, Basque Country (Spain).

PARTICIPANTS

1923 people over 60 years old included in the Health Program for the Elderly of the City of Bilbao participated in the study. The PA program was delivered twice a week for a minimum of 12 weeks, with 50-minute sessions.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

Participants were evaluated with the SPPB, which assesses balance (PE), gait speed test (PM) and chair stand test (PS). Based on the results obtained from all tests, the functionality of the participants was identified as: severe (0-4 points), moderate (4-6 points), mild (7-9 points) and minimal (10-12 points) limitation.

RESULTS

Mean age was 77.9 (5.6) years, 87.9% were women and 12.1% were men. The SPPB showed significant differences in age (p = 0.000) and gender (p = 0.005). In addition, a comparison was made with a similar population: 70-75 years = 0.6 (Cohen's d), 76-79 years = 0.98 (Cohen's d), and >80 years = 0.98 (Cohen's d).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study indicates normative values for SPPB. People's functionality decreases, as they get older. Despite the current findings available to health professionals for more effective detection of fragility, many of them have not yet been translated into clinical practice.