Which tests are included in the Verschuren 3 Functional Strength Tests?

• A. Gait speed test
• B. Lateral step up, half kneel to stand, & sit to stand
• C. Sit to stand multiple times
• D. Handgrip strength

Answer: (B)

Functional strength in daily life is best assessed with tasks that mirror common transfers and weight-shift activities. The Verschuren trio includes three specific movements: a lateral step up to a higher surface to challenge unilateral leg strength and control; moving from a half kneeling position to standing to test knee and hip extension with weight transfer; and a sit-to-stand movement to measure the ability to rise from seated, involving lower-limb power and trunk engagement. Together, these tasks span different planes and joint demands, capturing functional lower-extremity strength in contexts similar to everyday activities.

Gait speed and handgrip strength assess different domains—walking performance over distance and upper-extremity strength, respectively—and are not part of this particular three-test battery. Sit-to-stand multiple times describes a variation of the sit-to-stand that isn’t the standard inclusion in the Verschuren trio.