Design and test–retest reliability of a new test to assess motor competence in healthy older adults

Abstract

The objective of this study was to design and analyze the test–retest reliability of a test to assess holistic motor competence in older adults (HMCT-OA), as well as the capacity of this test to discriminate between sex and age. A total of 239 older adults (age = 72.44 ± 5.93 years old) joined in this study. The test was divided into motor cognitive section, locomotor section, and manipulative section. Each section and the total time to complete the test was registered. Intraclass correlation coefficient analysis showed 0.997 (95% CI = 0.996–0.998; p < 0.001) for the total test. Also, a strong correlation between the total test and each section was found. No significant differences between sexes were found; however, the participants over 80 years old showed worse performance. The HMCT-OA showed excellent test–retest reliability parameters for older adults. The test is safe, easy to set up, and was also able to discriminate per age in healthy older adults.