What is sit-to-stand?
Sit-to-stand is the movement of getting up from a seated position, such as from a dining chair, the toilet or a low sofa. It uses the thighs, hips and balance together.
Physiotherapists watch it closely because it shows leg strength and independence in a single move.
Why does it matter for a patient or family?
A person who can rise from a chair easily can go to the toilet, join a meal at the table and answer the door. A person who cannot may need help again and again through the day.
If a parent pushes on the arms of the chair, rocks back and forth, or needs two tries, their legs may be getting weaker. Catching this early gives time to rebuild strength.
How can we practise safely?
Use a firm chair with a solid back, placed against a wall, with non-slip shoes or bare feet on a dry floor. Sit near the front, feet slightly back, lean forward and stand up, then sit down slowly.
Your physiotherapist sets the number of repeats and how high the seat should be. A higher seat is easier, and a lower one is harder.
An everyday example in Ipoh
A grandmother in Taman Pertama finds that she can no longer get up from the low sofa in her living room without her daughter’s help. Her physiotherapist moves her practice to a dining chair with a cushion, and adds a few repeats before each meal.
Over a few weeks, the cushion gets thinner, and she can eventually stand from the sofa on her own.
Related terms and our pages
- Sarcopenia: age-related muscle loss.
- Balance training: practice that keeps you steady.
Read about getting up from the floor, strength and balance for ageing, older adult rehabilitation and knee osteoarthritis.