Timed Up and Go
Draft — clinical review requiredTime to stand, walk a short distance, turn, return and sit — a functional mobility measure.
Version shown: Original description: 3 m line, chair with arms.
Before / after comparison
Change: 0.00
Compare the change with measurement error and meaningful-change values for the same population and protocol, citing the source. Same protocol, aid and conditions on both occasions.Go deeper
Open each part when you are ready.
What it measures
- Time (s) to rise from a chair, walk 3 m, turn, walk back and sit down.
Populations and purposes
- Older adults and many neurological and orthopaedic populations.
Equipment and space
- Standard chair with arms; line at 3 m; stopwatch.
Administration overview
- Usual walking aid allowed (record it).
- Timing starts on the instruction “go” and stops when the person is seated.
- Use the full validated protocol (linked below) when testing patients.
Scoring and units
- Time in seconds.
Meaning of a higher or lower score
- Shorter time usually reflects better functional mobility.
Interpretation example
- A change in time should be interpreted against measurement error for that population.
Limitations
- Combines several tasks; does not identify which one is limiting.
- Norms, fall-risk thresholds, MDC and MCID differ by population and protocol; they are not universal. Measurement error is not the same as clinically meaningful change.
Apply it
A lower TUG time usually means…
Sources and review status
Draft — clinical review required
Starting points for verification. Validated protocols are linked where available; clinical content has not yet been reviewed.
Learning objectives
- Explain what the Timed Up and Go measures and for whom.
- Describe the set-up and administration overview.
- Interpret a result with its units, population and limitations.