§ 01
Functional Independence Tests
Clinical fitness assessment

Timed Up and Go (TUG)

Assess functional mobility and fall risk — one of the most widely used geriatric assessments.

Equipment

Standard chair (seat height ~46 cm, with armrests), 3-metre marked course, stopwatch.

The protocol
  1. 01Place a cone or mark on the floor 3 metres from the front of the chair.
  2. 02Client starts seated in the chair with back against the backrest, hands on armrests.
  3. 03On "Go", the client stands up (using the armrests if needed), walks to the 3-metre mark at a comfortable and safe pace, turns around, walks back, and sits down.
  4. 04Start timing on "Go". Stop timing when the client's buttocks touch the chair seat.
  5. 05Client may use their usual walking aid (cane, walker) — note this on the record.
  6. 06Perform one practice trial, then one timed trial.
What to watch for
  • Client using an unsafe pace — instruct them to walk at their "usual comfortable pace".
  • Not turning fully around the cone.
  • Starting the timer before saying "Go".
  • Not accounting for use of a walking aid in the notes.
Normative scoring

<10 seconds: Normal mobility. 10-12 seconds: Normal for older adults. 12-20 seconds: At risk — may need assistive device. >20 seconds: High fall risk — further assessment recommended.

Run it with GainPT

Run this test with branded client reports.

GainPT scores Timed Up and Go (TUG) against published normative data and turns it into a clean, GainPT-branded PDF your client keeps. All 47 clinical tests, unlimited retests — free to start, no card required.