This calculator is for general information and education. It is not medical advice and does not replace the judgment of a doctor, nurse or pharmacist who knows the full clinical picture.
The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, described by Podsiadlo and Richardson in 1991, is one of the quickest ways to check mobility and fall risk in older adults. It combines standing up, walking, turning and sitting down, the movements involved in most falls at home. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention include it in their STEADI fall-prevention toolkit.
How to do the test
- Use a standard chair with arms, and mark a line on the floor 3 meters (10 feet) in front of it.
- The person sits with their back against the chair, wearing their usual shoes and using their usual walking aid if they have one.
- On “Go”, they stand up, walk at their normal pace to the line, turn, walk back and sit down again.
- Start timing on “Go” and stop when they are seated with their back against the chair.
Watch how they move as well: a slow or unsteady rise, short or shuffling steps, loss of balance, holding on to furniture or a hesitant turn all add to the risk, whatever the time.
Example
A 75-year-old completes the test in 11 seconds. That is under the 12-second threshold, but 1.8 seconds slower than the average of 9.2 seconds for people aged 70 to 79.
What the time means
| Time | Meaning |
|---|---|
| under 12 s | normal mobility for an older adult |
| 12 s or more | higher risk of falls (CDC STEADI); a full fall-risk assessment is advised |
| 20 to 29 s | limited mobility; often needs help outdoors |
| 30 s or more | dependent for most transfers and walking |
Some studies use 13.5 seconds as the cutoff for community-dwelling older adults. Average times from a 2006 review by Bohannon are about 8.1 s at 60 to 69, 9.2 s at 70 to 79 and 11.3 s at 80 to 99.
What to do with the result
A slow time is a reason to look for causes and act on them: review medicines that cause drowsiness or dizziness, check vision, feet and footwear, look for low blood pressure on standing, and start a strength and balance exercise program. Programs such as tai chi or the Otago exercise program reduce falls by about a quarter. Removing trip hazards at home and adding grab bars and good lighting help too.
The TUG is a screening test and does not replace a clinical assessment.