Normative Values for the Unsupported Upper Limb Exercise Test and 6-Minute Pegboard and Ring Test in Healthy Canadian Adults

Purpose: We determined normative values for the Unsupported Upper Limb Exercise (UULEX) test and the 6-Minute Pegboard and Ring Test (6PBRT) in a sample of healthy Canadian adults aged 40-89 years. Method: Volunteers completed the UULEX test and the 6PBRT twice with an interval of 30 minutes between tests or after the variables of interest had returned to their baseline values. Results: A total of 97 volunteers completed the tests (53.4% female); their mean age was 64.3 (SD 13.9) years. Mean UULEX scores were 11.4 (SD 3.0) minutes for women and 12.4 (SD 2.5) minutes for men. The mean 6PBRT score was 404.7 (SD 100.1) rings moved. For both tests, younger individuals' scores were higher.  As volunteers' age increased, their functional performance on both tests was reduced: UULEX, r = -0.50 (p = 0.001), and 6PBRT, r = -0.60 (p = 0.001). Conclusions: These normative values increase the usefulness of these tests as measures of upper limb function.