Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test
Standardised functional mobility test measuring time to rise from a chair, walk 3 metres, turn, and return to sit. Simple and reliable predictor of fall risk and functional mobility in older adults.
Score interpretation
TUG under 13.5 seconds — below the Shumway-Cook fall-risk cut-off (CDC STEADI flags 12 seconds or more)
→ No specific intervention needed; continue active lifestyle; reassess annually or if health status changes
TUG 13.5 seconds or more — increased fall risk (Shumway-Cook 2000: sensitivity and specificity 87 %)
→ Physiotherapy referral; balance and strength exercises; walking aid review; home hazard assessment; medication review; optometry review; falls clinic referral if recurrent falls
TUG 30 seconds or more — dependent in most activities (Podsiadlo 1991); high fall risk
→ Urgent physiotherapy and OT assessment; comprehensive falls assessment; consider care needs; walking aid and home modification; medication rationalisation; family/carer involvement; may indicate need for increased supervision or care
Interpretation bands for the TUG Test. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Podsiadlo D, Richardson S. The timed 'Up and Go': a test of basic functional mobility for frail elderly persons. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1991;39(2):142–148.
- Shumway-Cook A, Brauer S, Woollacott M. Predicting the probability for falls in community-dwelling older adults using the Timed Up & Go Test. Phys Ther. 2000;80(9):896–903.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Tetracosactide · Synthetic ACTH (short Synacthen test)
- Bisoprolol (Heart Failure in Elderly) · Selective beta-1 blocker
- Sodium Valproate (Epilepsy in Elderly) · Antiepileptic
- Sertraline (Elderly) · SSRI Antidepressant
- Mirtazapine (Elderly) · NaSSA Antidepressant
- Quetiapine (Elderly — Dementia Caution) · Atypical Antipsychotic
- Falls Assessment in Older Adults · NICE CG161 2013
- Delirium Outside ICU · NICE CG103
- Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) · BGS / NICE
- Delirium Assessment and Management · NICE CG103 2010
- Frailty Recognition and Management · BGS Frailty Framework / NHS NHSE
- Polypharmacy and Medicines Optimisation · STOPP/START v2 2014 / NICE NG5
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.