Timed Up and Go Test (TUG): Protocol, Reference Times, and Fall Risk

If you work with older adults, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) is probably the most widely used functional test in the world for detecting fall risk. It's quick, needs almost no equipment, and gives you an objective number (seconds) you can track over time.

It's one of those tests that any trainer or physio working with older adults should have as part of their initial assessment.

What does this test measure?

The TUG measures the time it takes a person to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn around, walk back, and sit down again. It combines several components critical to functional mobility into a single task: leg strength, dynamic balance, turning ability, and gait speed.

The longer it takes, the higher the fall risk and the lower the functional independence.

Equipment needed

• A chair with a backrest and no armrests (standard height ~46 cm / 18 in)
• A tape measure or a mark on the floor at 3 meters
• A stopwatch
• A cone or visual marker at the turning point

Step-by-step protocol

1. Place the chair against a wall so it doesn't move, and mark a point 3 meters away (with a cone or tape on the floor)
2. The person sits with their back against the chair, arms resting on their thighs or the armrests (if any), and feet flat on the floor
3. Give the start signal and start the stopwatch
4. The person should stand up, walk at their normal pace to the cone, turn around, walk back, and sit down again
5. Stop the stopwatch the moment the person sits back down in the chair
6. Allow one practice trial before the official measurement

Common mistakes

• Not letting the person use their usual footwear and walking aids (cane, walker) if they use them day to day — the test should reflect their real-world function
• Telling the person to go "fast" when the protocol calls for a normal pace (unless you're using the "rapid TUG" variant)
• Measuring the 3 meters incorrectly or not clearly marking the turning point

How to interpret the result

Time (seconds)	Interpretation
< 10 s	Normal mobility, no restrictions
10-20 s	Good mobility, independent in most activities
20-30 s	High fall risk, requires supervision for some tasks
> 30 s	High fall risk and functional dependence

A commonly cited cutoff in the literature is ≥ 13.5 seconds as the threshold for significant fall risk in community-dwelling older adults, though it's best interpreted alongside other data (fall history, fear of falling, leg strength).

Related tests

The TUG pairs well with:

• Tinetti Test — if the TUG result is abnormal, the Tinetti gives you more detail on which gait and balance components are affected
• Single-Leg Balance Test — to isolate the static balance component without the gait factor

Track functional mobility over time

The real value of the TUG comes from repeating it periodically and seeing whether the time improves, stays the same, or gets worse with your training program. With Movalytics you can log the TUG time at every assessment session, alongside other balance tests, and see your client's or patient's progress on a chart — no more digging through old notebooks and stopwatches.

FAQ

Who can the TUG be used with? It's designed primarily for older adults and people with mobility limitations, but it's also used in post-surgical rehab (hip, knee) and in neurological populations (Parkinson's, stroke). Does it need to be done with shoes on? Yes, ideally with the person's usual footwear, since the goal is to reflect their real-world day-to-day function rather than an artificial situation. How many times should the test be repeated? One practice trial plus one measured trial is usually enough. If times vary a lot between attempts, you can do a third and use the average or the best result, depending on the protocol you follow.