You’re running a timed test with a patient who has difficulty standing from a chair, and you want a quick, functional measure of their fall risk. The Get Up and Go Test (TUG) gives you exactly that—a simple, powerful snapshot of dynamic balance and mobility that every PT should have in their clinical toolkit.
What is the Get Up and Go Test (TUG)?
The Get Up and Go Test (TUG) is a functional mobility test used to assess balance, fall risk, and the ability to perform timed transfers and gait. The patient starts seated in a standard armchair, stands up without using their arms if possible, walks 3 meters, turns around, returns to the chair, and sits down. The result is measured in seconds. A score of under 10 seconds suggests independent mobility, while greater than 14 seconds is commonly linked to increased fall risk, especially in older adults.
Why the Get Up and Go Test Matters in Physical Therapy Practice
The TUG matters because it combines multiple high-level skills—sit-to-stand, ambulation, turning, and sit-down—into one reliable, repeatable measure. It directly impacts your Plan of Care by helping you identify fall risk, track progress, and determine whether a patient needs an assistive device or supervision. Because it is quick and requires minimal equipment, it works across settings: acute care, outpatient orthopedics, and neuro rehab.
What You’ll See in the Clinic
You’ll often use the TUG during an initial evaluation or before discharge. The patient may be an older adult with generalized weakness, someone post-stroke, or a patient after knee replacement. Watch for hesitancy, loss of balance during the turn, or the need to use armrests.
“TUG completed in 22 seconds. Patient required use of both armrests and took a wide base during turn. Reports fear of falling at home. I will add dynamic standing balance and repeated sit-to-stand transitions to the POC, with family education on fall risk.”
Common Pitfall & Pro Tip
⚠️ Pitfall: Using a chair that is too high or low, or timing starting before the patient begins moving. Inconsistent chair height and starting position make the test unreliable and hard to compare across visits.
💡 Pro Tip: Standardize your setup. Use the same chair, same starting phrase, and start timing on the word “Go.” If the patient uses a cane or walker, allow it but document it every time. A 1–2 second improvement may be less meaningful than an observed change in turn quality or confidence.
Memory Aid for Get Up and Go Test
Think “Rise, Walk, Turn, Return, Sit.” If you remember the sequence, you remember the test. For interpretation, think “Ten to be independent, fourteen to be wary”—a quick way to recall the fall-risk threshold.
NPTE Connection
Expect exam questions that require you to interpret TUG values, select the best functional test for fall risk, or recognize when a patient needs a referral based on a prolonged score.
Related Physical Therapy Concepts
The TUG is frequently paired with the Berg Balance Scale for a more comprehensive balance assessment, and with the Functional Reach Test to measure dynamic postural control. For patients with vestibular disorders, consider the Dynamic Gait Index alongside the TUG to capture more complex mobility tasks.
Quick Reference
✓ Normal: < 10 seconds; independent mobility: < 20 seconds; fall risk: > 14 seconds; frailty: > 30 seconds ✓ Priority level: High—quick screen for fall risk and functional mobility ✓ PT Interventions/Considerations: • Standardize chair height and instructions • Document assistive device use • Reassess each visit to track POC progress • Combine with Berg Balance Scale for balance deficit specificity • Refer out if sudden decline in TUG time or unsafe turning
Bottom line: The TUG is more than a timer—it’s a functional story that guides your interventions and keeps your patient’s safety at the forefront.