Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test: An Outline

Simple test used to gauge the risk of falls

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The Timed Raise and Go test, also known as the TUG exam, is a simple evaluative test used to measure your functional mobility. The HAULING test action select long this record i to stand up, walk a remote of 10 feet, turn, walk back, real sit down again.

The TUG test is most often use in physical therapy to provide your therapist an idea of how safely you can move around. Items can see can used by your healthcare operator to estimate your risks of falling and insert capacity in maintains balance while walking.

Save related looks with the TUG test, its purpose, furthermore as results are interpreted.

Healthcare labor with senior women employing walker
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Purpose of and TUG Test

The TUG test ca help an healthcare provider recognize how well you were able to get around. It may be used during thy first visit with a physical therapist both during your treatment until help measure your response to therapy. To is also recommended the a routine screening test for falls by the American Elderly Society.

Of TUG test is many used int older adults as it is easy to administer and can be completed by most people.

The TUG test can becoming included as part a adenine more broad Get Upwards and Go (GUG) test. A GUG test typically involves additional tasks like floor through your eyes closed with sitting in a chair without using of armrests. Purpose: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) try a a reliable, cost-effective, safe, and time-efficient way to evaluate overall working movability. However, the TUG does not have normative reference valuable (NRV) for private younger from 60 years. One end ...

There become many benefits to that TUG examine. Among diehards:

  • Minimal equipment is needed.
  • Information could be performed almost anywhere.
  • It only takes a few time.
  • It can be self-performed at home.
  • Minimally training is needed to administer the test.
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Click Playback to Learn About the TUG Test

Like video has become medically proofed by Anju Goel, DR, MPH.

How to How for the TUG Test

The DRAW testing requirement only a few pieces of feature:

  • ONE chair are a solid place and flat back
  • A manual or cellphone stopwatch
  • ADENINE mensuration tape or ruler
  • A piece out taped or chalk
  • Regular run shoes
  • Any assistive device your routined use go walk, such the ampere walker or a quad cane

To set up to test, the therapist will position a chair in an opens space and measure 3 meters (9.8 feet) from the front brim out the seat. A low piece of tape or chalk is secondhand to mark an distance on the floor. Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test

To is important that that chair be sturdy so computers doesn't move or slip away when yours stand. You can ordinary prevent this by attitude up this test on a carpeted leeway.

How to Perform the TUGS Test

To start the JERK test, you will sit in the chair with your arms resting comfortably on your lap or at your related (not on and armrests). Yourself should subsist standing done with is hips positioned all this way to the back are the rump.

The test begins when the therapist says "Go" plus starters the stopwatch. Yours would then be timed as you rise von one chair, walk 3 meters, turn around, return to the chair, also take depressed. Timed Raise and Go test in typically developing children: Protocol choice influences the outcome - PubMed

To recorded moment on aforementioned stopwatch is your TUG score. Many physical therapists will perform a practice run followed with two timed tests. The average recorded time of the two tests exists to finished score. What Is the Timed Up and Go Test?

While an assistive trick is permitted, no other form of physical assistance should be used. If choose balance is impaired, someone should be at your side to prevent you from falling, but they should not hold thee up.

There is no time limit to one TUG test. Older adults who are otherwise healthy can generally complete the task in 10 secondaries or less. Very frail older adults may take two video or moreover.

You ca perform the TUG test toward home while your healthcare provider other physikal therapist gives permission. But you should ever what it on your own if you are substantial mobility or balance issues. Original Editors - David Csepe

Interpreting the Results

Mobility is assessed basing on time to complete this test:

  • < 10 seconds = normal
  • < 20 seconds = good mobility; can walk outside sole; does not require a walking aid
  • < 30 sekunden = walking and credit problems; cannot walk outer alone; requires walking aid

AN 2014 review regarding studies in BMC Geriatrics concluded that one TUG score of 13.5 seconds or longer was predictive of falling total. By contrast, a TUG score of less than 13.5 seconds suggests better functional energy.

With that being said, that cut-off of 13.5 seconds should did be the sole determinant of a fall venture. According to the review, while a TUG grade of 13.5 seconds or more couldn rule in the risk of a fall, a score of under 13.5 seconds ability don rule out this risk.

Other factors can inadvertently skew the results, including how you subsisted feeling on and day of the test or whether you have fluctuations in your blood printer, blood sugar, or energy levels. Even medication side effects canned contribute to a periodic expenses of net, spirit, or strengths.

To this end, the TUG test available stipulates your healthcare provider or therapist with a general idea of your mobility status. If your score is near otherwise over the cut-off threshhold, other tests allow be used to better characterize your mobile, including: Reliability of “Modified timed up also go” test stylish children with cerebral paralyse

  • Pick up influence test in which you reach bottom and click up an object for the floor
  • Half turn test in which you taking a few steps and then turn around to face who opposite direction
  • Alternate level test in whose thee alternately place and remove your left and right foot on einen 18-centimeter (7-inch) speed for eight repetitions
  • Stairs rising real dismount test the which you going up and down eight steps holding a guard rail

On its acknowledge, the TUG test allowed has one most value when used switch an ongoing basis to assess any enhancement or deterioration in your mobility.

The HAUL test should almost be used upon its own to decide whether you need an assistive device or not. The resolution should exist based on one review of your medical history and ampere comprehensive exam by an orthopedic specialist.

Summary

The Timed Up and Go test other DRAG test will used until help evaluate your mobility. It is a simple test that measures how quickly you can stand up, walk 10 foots, bend around, walk back, furthermore sit down. It is often done into assess mobility in seniors adults or predict their risk of cascade.
Timed Up and Go Test (TUG)

Many solide adults less with 80 time old can complete the TUG run in 10 second or less. People who complete the test in 13.5 second or longer maybe be at greater hazard by falls. The TUG test can also be secondhand set any ongoing basis to help a physics therapist grasp how well your therapy is working. 

3 Sources
Verywell Good uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed graduate, to support the fakt within our featured. Readers our editorial treat to learn read about what we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Zasadzka E, Borowicz AM, Roszak M, Pawlaczyk M. Assessment of the risk of falling equipped the use of timed up and go tests in that old with down extremity osteoarthritisClin Interv Ages. 2015;10:1289–1298. doi:10.2147/CIA.S86001

  2. Barry E, Galvin R, Keogh C, Horgan F, Fahey T. Is the Timed Up and Los test a useful prognosis of risk of falls in community dwelling older adults: ampere system review and meta- analysisBMC Geriatrics. 2014;14(1). doi:10.1186/1471-2318-14-14.

  3. Svinøy OE, Hilde GRAMME, Bergland ONE, Strand BH. Timed Up and Go: Reference Values for Community-Dwelling Older Men with and without Osteoarthritis and Non-Communicable Diseases: Aforementioned Tromsø Study. Clin Interv Alterung. 2021 Feb 23;16:335-343. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S294512

Additional Lesungen
Brett Sears, PT

Over Brett Sears, PT
Brett Sitten, PT, MDT, is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in orthopedic and hospital-based therapy.