Normative data and determinants for the timed "up and go" test in a population-based sample of elderly individuals without gait disturbances.

OBJECTIVE: To define the standard performance of elderly people without gait disturbances in the "Timed Up and Go" test (TUG) and investigate its determinants.

METHODS: A population-based sample of 527 community-dwelling subjects, 71 to 99 years of age, was studied using a clinical, neurological, and cognitive standardized protocol which included the TUG (time to get up, walk 3 meters, go back and sit down again).

RESULTS: Sixty one subjects were unable to perform the TUG and 158 were excluded because of abnormal gait. 308 subjects without gait disturbances performed the TUG (mean age 77.5 +/- 5.2 years); males 171, (55%) in 10.2 +/- 3.1 seconds (range 5-25). The TUG time was higher in females (11.2 +/- 3.2 seconds; males: 9.3 +/- 2.8), was positively correlated with age (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). Mean TUG times by age group were: 71-75 years: 9.5 +/- 2.5 sec.; 76-80 years: 9.9 +/- 3 sec.; 81-85 years: 11.2 +/- 3.6 sec; and 86-99 years: 12 +/- 3.8 seconds). TUG times were also related to cognitive impairment (Global Deterioration Scale, r = 0.27, p < 0.001), weight (r = -0.18, p < 0.001), height (r = -0.29, p <0.001), head circumference (r = -0.24, p < 0.001) and nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment, r = -0.31, p < 0.001). A regression model explaining 25.8% of TUG variance included age, gender, weight, nutritional status and cognitive impairment as independent determinants of TUG scores.

CONCLUSIONS: The TUG performance of elderly people over 70 without apparent gait disturbances depends on age and other non motor variables such as female gender, weight, nutritional status and cognitive impairment.