Background: The Calf-raise (CR) test is often used as a screening tool to assess anklemuscle functioning in clinical practice. Most studies restrict the administration of thistest to the young adult population and, of our knowledge, no study has evaluated thevalidityand reliability of this test with elderly people. Purpose: This study aimed to develop a new field test protocol with a standardizedmeasurement of strength and power in plantar flexor muscles targeted to functionallyindependent older adults, the calf-raise senior (CRS) test, and also evaluate its reliabilityand validity. Patients and methods: Forty-one subjects aged 65 years and older of bothsexesparticipated in five different cross-sectional studies: 1) pilot (n=12); 2) inter and intra-rater agreement (n=12); 3) construct (n=41); 4) criterion validity (n=33); and 5) test–retest reliability (n=41). Different motion parameters were compared in order to defineaspecifically designed protocol for seniors. Two raters evaluated each participant twice, and the results of the same individual were compared between raters and participantstoassess the interrater and intra-rater agreement. The validity and reliability studies involvedthree testing sessions that lasted 2 weeks, including a battery of functional fitness tests, CRS test in two occasions, accelerometry, and strength assessments in an sokineticdynamometer. Results: The CRS test presented an excellent test–retest reliability (intra-class correlationcoefficient [ICC] =0.90, standard error of measurement =2.0) and interrater reliability(ICC=0.93–0.96), as well as a good intra-rater agreement (ICC =0.79–0.84). Participantswithbetter results in the CRS test were younger and presented higher levels of physical activity and functional fitness. A significant association between test results andall strength parameters (isometric, r=0.87, r=0.75; isokinetic, r=0.86, r=0.74; and rateof orcedevelopment, r=0.77, r=0.59) was shown. Conclusion: This study was successful in demonstrating that the CRS test can meet thescientific criteria of validity and reliability. The test can be a good indicator of anklestrength in older adults and proved to discriminate significantly between individualswithimproved functionality and levels of physical activity.Background: The assessment of the plantar-flexors muscle strength in the elderly peopleis of the utmost importance since they are strongly associated o the performanceof fundamental tasks of daily life. Purpose: Our study aims at strengthen the validity of the Calf-Raise Senior (CRS) test byassessing the biomechanical movement pattern of calf muscles in elderly participantswithdifferent functional fitness profiles. Patients and methods: Twenty-six older adults with different levels of functional fitness(FF) and physical activity (PA) participated in this study. CRS test was administered together with a FF battery, accelerometry, strength tests, kinematics and electromyography (EMG). Older adults with the best and worst CRS scores were compared and the associationbetween the scores and EMG pattern of ankle muscles was determined. Results: Older participants with the best CRS scores presented higher levels of FF, PA, strength, power, speed and range of movement, and also a more efficient movement pattern during the test. Subjects who scored more at the CR test demonstratedthepossibly to use a stretch-shortening cycle type of action in the PF muscles to increasepower during the movements. Conclusion: Older adults with different levels of functional fitness can be tratifiedbythemuscular activation pattern of the calf muscles and the scores in CRS test. . This studyreinforced the validity of CRS for evaluating ankle strength and power in elderlyBackground: Mobility significantly depends on the ankle muscles’ strength, whichisparticularly relevant for the performance of daily activities. There are few tools available, with all of the measurement properties tested, to assess ankle strength. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to test the responsiveness of Calf-RaiseSenior Test (CRS) in a sample of elderly participants undergoing a 24 weeks communityexercise program.. Patients and methods: 82 older adults participated in an exercise programandwereassessed with CRS Test and 30-seconds chair stand test (CS) at baseline and at follow- up. Effect size (ES), standardized response mean (SRM) and minimal detectablechange(MDC) measures were calculated for the CRS and CS tests scores. ROC curves analysiswas used to define a cut-off representing the minimally important difference of Calf-RaiseSenior test. Results: Results revealed a small (ES = 0.42) to moderate (SRM = 0.51) responsivenessin plantar-flexion strength and power across time, which was lower than that of CStest (ES = 0.64, SRM = 0.67). The responsiveness of CRS test was more evident in groupsof subjects with lower initial scores. A minimal important difference (MID) of 3.5 repetitionsand a minimal detectable change (MDC) of 4.6 was found for the CRS. Conclusion: Calf-Raise Senior Test is a useful field test to assess elderly ankle function, with moderate responsiveness properties. The cutoff scores of MDC and MIDpresentedin this study can be useful in determining the success of interventions aiming at improvingmobility in senior participants
