What does the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) primarily assess?

The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) is primarily designed to assess functional mobility and predict disability in older adults. It evaluates various aspects of physical performance, focusing on lower extremity function through tasks such as balance tests, gait speed, and chair stand performance. By measuring these components, the SPPB helps determine an individual's mobility level and risk of disability, making it a valuable tool for identifying those who may benefit from interventions to improve their physical capabilities.

Other options, such as assessing cardiovascular health, muscle strength, or joint flexibility, do not represent the core focus of the SPPB. While muscle strength may be indirectly assessed as part of the chair stand test, the overall aim of the SPPB is not solely focused on muscle strength or joint flexibility but rather on the broader context of functional mobility and disability prediction.