Risk of falling among elderly persons living in the community: assessment by the Timed up and go test

Onivaldo Bretan, José Elias Silva Júnior, Odilon R Ribeiro, José Eduardo Corrente, Onivaldo Bretan, José Elias Silva Júnior, Odilon R Ribeiro, José Eduardo Corrente

Abstract

The risk of falling in elderly can be analyzed by a simple mobility test.

Objective: To assess the balance of elderly subjects through the 'Timed up and go' test.

Method: Subjects were timed for the moment they got up from a chair, walked for three meters, and came back to the chair. They also answered questions on imbalance, dizziness, and falls.

Results: Approximately 69% of the subjects completed the test in up to 19 seconds. There was a significant correlation between imbalance, time spent in the test, dizziness, and falls.

Conclusion: Most of the elderly subjects performed well in the test, thus attesting to their good level of functional mobility. However, a significant number of poor-performers is probably more prone to falling and to depending on others to perform activities of daily living.

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