Background Validated field exercise tests, such as the six minute walk test and incremental/endurance shuttle walks, require space and may be time-consuming as repeat walks are needed due to learning effect. Hence they are rarely used outside the research or pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) setting. The five-repetition Sit to Stand test (STS) is a simple test that is feasible in most settings. It measures the quickest time taken to stand and sit five times from a chair, with arms folded. We hypothesized that the STS would be reliable, correlate with the incremental shuttle walk (ISW), and be responsive to PR.

Methods The STS was measured in 80 COPD patients on two occasions 24–48 hours apart. Test-retest reliability was calculated using ICCs. STS and ISW were measured in a convenience sample of 396 COPD patients (Mean (SD) age 69 (10); FEV1%predicted 47 (20); ISW 202 (141)) recruited from hospital outpatient clinics. Spearman rank correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between STS and ISW. The STS was measured before and after an 8-week outpatient PR programme in 168 COPD patients. Paired t-tests were used to compare pre- and post-PR outcomes.

Results The STS demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability with an ICC value of 0.99 with no learning effect. A significant correlation was seen between STS and ISW (rho = –0.68; p<0.001). The STS improved significantly following PR (Pre: 20.91 (16.23) versus Post: 17.87 (14.93) seconds; 95% confidence interval –1.5 to –4.6 seconds; p<0.001).

Conclusions The STS is reliable, correlates with the incremental shuttle walk, and is responsive to PR in patients with COPD. The STS is a practical functional outcome measure suitable for use in most healthcare settings.