Timed Up and Go test in typically developing children: Protocol choice influences the outcome

Abstract

Background: The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is one of the most popular functional dynamic balance tests in children with typical and atypical development. However, the TUG protocol varies in terms of turning-point markers and verbal commands.

Research question: Would the outcomes of TUG be different if a different TUG protocol, especially turning-point markers and verbal commands, was used in different age and gender?

Methods: Two hundred and ten typically developing children aged 6-12 years participated in the study. They were separated into 7 groups according to age. All participants were randomly selected to perform the TUG test in 6 conditions of a cone, a line, and a picture as turning-point markers under nonqualitative and qualitative verbal instructions in terms of the walking speed. The best TUG score (in seconds) of 3 trials in each condition was obtained for analysis.

Results: The time to complete the TUG test was decreased by age. The fastest time was found in the picture condition under qualitative and nonqualitative verbal instructions in all age groups. Additionally, using qualitative verbal instruction resulted in faster times than nonqualitative verbal instruction for all turning-point markers and in all age groups.

Significance: This study provided evidence that the outcome of the TUG test was influenced by turning-point markers and verbal instructions in all age groups. Therefore, a reliable TUG test protocol should be considered in order to measure the change in functional dynamic balance of children.

Keywords: Child; Mobility; Postural balance; Timed Up and Go test.