Normative values for the Timed 'Up and Go' test in children and adolescents and validation for individuals with Down syndrome.

AIM: To determine normative values for the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in typically developing children and adolescents and to validate its use in individuals with Down syndrome.

METHOD: Participants in this cross-sectional study were South Brazilian schoolchildren aged 3 to 18 years. In phase 1, 459 typically developing individuals (227 males, 232 females; mean age 10 y 8 mo (SD 4 y 4 mo) were included; and in phase 2, 40 individuals with Down syndrome (16 males, 24 females; mean age 10 y 6 mo (SD 4 y 4 mo). Anthropometric measurements, real leg length, TUG test scores, and Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) scores were evaluated. The association between the TUG test and possible predictive variables was analyzed.

RESULTS: In phase 1, the mean time to perform the TUG test was 5.61 seconds (SD 1.06). Values were stratified in age groups that served as normative data for both sexes. A multiple linear regression analysis was conducted and the best variables to predict TUG scores were age and weight. The best model obtained presented an R(2) of 0.25 and a standard error of the estimate of 0.92. Excellent intrasession reliability in the three tests performed (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] of 0.93, 0.94, and 0.95) and between the sessions (both with an ICC of 0.95) was demonstrated. In phase 2, the test also showed excellent reproducibility (ICC=0.82 between the two tests performed). The performance time was significantly longer (p<0.001) in individuals with Down syndrome compared with sex- age-, and weight-matched typically developing children with a mean difference of -3.53 (95% confidence interval -4.05 to -3.00). Dimension E of the GMFM (Walking, Running and Jumping) showed the highest correlation (r=-0.55, p<0.001) with the test.

INTERPRETATION: This study provides normative values for the TUG test and shows that TUG scores can be predicted as a function of age and weight in typically developing individuals. The test can also be used for assessment of functional mobility in individuals with Down syndrome.