How frequently should older adults retake the SFT to track progress?

Retaking the Senior Fitness Test every 6 to 12 months is optimal for tracking progress among older adults. This timeframe is sufficient to observe meaningful changes in fitness levels while allowing participants adequate time to engage in a variety of physical activities or interventions aimed at improving their strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance.

Frequent testing, such as every 3 months, may not provide enough time for significant improvements to occur, especially for older adults who may progress at a slower rate. Conversely, testing every two years may be too infrequent to detect any changes promptly, which could hinder the ability to adjust fitness programs or interventions effectively. Thus, a 6 to 12-month interval effectively balances the need for progress monitoring with the reality of fitness adaptations in older adults.