SPPB
Also called: short physical performance battery
What it means
SPPB (Short Physical Performance Battery) is a quick test of balance, walking speed, and leg strength used to measure physical function, especially in older adults.
A low SPPB score can signal higher fall risk, which matters a lot since falls are a leading cause of fractures.
SPPB stands for Short Physical Performance Battery. It's a simple set of tests doctors and researchers use to check how well your legs and balance are working. It includes three parts: standing balance tests, a timed walk over a short distance, and a chair stand test where you stand up and sit down several times without using your arms.
Each part gets a score, and they're added together for a total score. Lower scores point to more difficulty with mobility and a higher chance of falls, disability, or frailty. It's often used in older adults to track physical function over time, not just bone density.
For someone focused on bone health, SPPB matters because strong bones aren't the whole picture—muscles, balance, and coordination all affect your risk of falling and breaking a bone. A low score can flag a need for balance training, resistance training, or a closer look at fall risk before a fracture happens.
A quick balance and strength test can flag higher fall risk, which matters since falls cause fractures.
Where this leads
WordA low score on this quick test can signal higher fall risk. Curious why falling itself, not just weak bones, is such a common cause of fractures?
Related words
Gait speed is how fast you walk at your normal pace, usually measured over a short, fixed distance like 4 meters.…
The chair stand test measures leg strength and balance by timing how fast or how many times you can stand up from a…
The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test times how long it takes someone to stand up from a chair, walk a short distance,…
Fall risk is how likely you are to fall, and it matters because falling—not just weak bones—is the most common cause…
Balance training is practice that improves your stability and coordination so you're less likely to fall — and falls…
Grip strength is how hard you can squeeze with your hand, measured with a device called a dynamometer. It's used as…
Education only, not medical advice. Decisions about tests, medications and treatment belong with your own doctor. OsteoStrong does not diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
