Introduction and Purpose:: The rapid growth of the older adult population and the increasing prevalence of age-related motor impairments have highlighted the need for valid instruments to assess motor performance in older adults. The present study aimed to establish normative data and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Bruininks Motor Ability Test (BMAT) in Iranian older adults.
Methodology: : This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted using a psychometric and normative approach. A total of 500 Iranian older adults aged 60 years and older (250 men and 250 women) were selected through multistage cluster sampling. The Persian version of the BMAT was translated, back-translated, reviewed by an expert panel, and subsequently administered to the participants. Content validity was assessed using the Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity Ratio (CVR). Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, and test–retest reliability was examined using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC).
Results: The overall CVI was 0.91 and the CVR ranged from 0.80 to 1.00. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.88 and the ICC was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89–0.96). Model fit indices indicated an acceptable fit (CFI = 0.94, RMSEA = 0.056). BMAT scores showed significant positive correlations with the Berg Balance Scale (r = 0.72, p < 0.001) and SPPB (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), and a significant negative correlation with TUG time (r = -0.64, p < 0.001). Mean BMAT scores declined from 78.4 ± 8.6 in the 60–64-year group to 56.7 ± 10.2 in participants aged 80 years and older (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The Persian version of the BMAT demonstrated satisfactory validity and reliability in Iranian older adults. The age- and sex-specific normative values developed in this study may be useful for clinical assessment, geriatric research, and rehabilitation programs targeting Iranian older adults.