Reliability and validity of physical fitness tests for older adults

About this project

A growing aging population due to increased life expectancy is the most important social demographic change in western society. By 2050, the global population of older adults will have doubled. Aging is associated with an increased risk of non-communicable diseases, frailty, disability, and early death, all of which are a significant burden to national health care systems. A major concern is to maintain healthy aging, with the goal of preserving physical function in later life. Physical (functional) fitness is important for older adults because it reflects their ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) well and is associated with lower prevalence of chronic conditions and associated risk factors. 

In 1999, Rikli and Jones proposed a Senior Fitness Test (SFT) battery which aimed to measure the functional fitness. For many years the SFT has been the primary test battery for measuring fitness among older adults. Given the United Nations has announced this (2021–2030) as the Decade of Healthy Ageing, there is a need to develop a new fitness test battery focused on health-related physical fitness. It has also been a quarter of a century since the evidence on older adult fitness has been reviewed with the aim of developing a new test battery. Using a systematic review strategy, this proposal aims to investigate the test-retest reliability (i.e., the consistency) and validity (i.e., the accuracy) of fitness tests among older adults.

Evidence from this research will inform future research within the Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA) and the Personal and Societal Health Signature Research Theme for the new Adelaide University.

What you’ll do 

This research will form the basis of your Masters’ thesis. You will complete systematic reviews to investigate the test-retest reliability (i.e., the consistency) and validity (i.e., the accuracy) of fitness tests among older adults. The fitness tests demonstrating high reliability and validity will inform the development of a new health-related fitness test battery for older adults, which may be used to screen individuals and monitor population health levels.

You will need to be an effective problem-solver and critical thinker and be able to work collaboratively with the supervisory team. We will provide training and help develop your skills in systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

There will be opportunities to present your research both within the University and externally, which will bolster your network and communication skills. You will be supported by the supervisory team to present your research findings through publications and presentations at scientific conferences.

Where you’ll be based 

You will be based in ARENA, which is part of UniSA’s Allied Health and Human Performance Unit. ARENA is a research centre that creates real world solutions to help all people be active, eat better, and perform at their best. We investigate the role of exercise, nutrition and other lifestyle activities in improving clinical and health outcomes. Physical, psychological and sports performance in populations is studied across a wide cross-section of society, ranging from children to elite athletes and people with chronic disease.

Our “healthy lives through healthy living” research focusses on the grand challenge of tackling the growing epidemic of chronic diseases. We focus on real-world issues and bring bold ideas to create solutions that optimise health, function and wellbeing. Financial Support 

This project is funded for reasonable research expenses. A fee offset for the standard term of the program is available to Australian and New Zealand citizens, and permanent residents of Australia, including permanent humanitarian visa holders. Additionally, any Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicant who holds an offer of admission without a living allowance will be eligible for the Aboriginal Enterprise Research Scholarship. This scholarship is to the value of $52,352 per annum (2025 rate). Any Aboriginal Enterprise Research Scholarship recipient will also receive a fee waiver. International applicants are not currently invited to apply.

Eligibility and Selection 

This project is open to applications from Australian or New Zealand citizens, and Australian permanent residents or permanent humanitarian visa holders. International applicants are not currently invited to apply.
Applicants must meet the eligibility criteria for entrance into a Master of Research. Additionally, applicants must meet the project selection criteria: 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience assessing and interpreting physical fitness tests

All applications that meet the eligibility and selection criteria will be considered for this project. A merit selection process will be used to determine the successful candidate.
The successful applicant is expected to study full-time and to be based at our City East Campus in the east of Adelaide. 

Essential Dates 

Applicants are expected to start in a timely fashion upon receipt of an offer. Extended deferral periods are not available. Applications close Thursday 2 January 2025.