How to Perform the TUG Test

The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a simple, easy-to-administer test for assessing an individual’s mobility, balance, and fall risk. The test involves recording how much time it takes a person to rise from a seated position, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back to the chair, and sit down again. The TUG test has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of mobility and fall risk in older adults and individuals with chronic conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis.

Required Noraxon Hardware:

• 3 IMU sensors (placed on the Left Foot, Right Foot, and Upper Spine)
• Camera (optional)

Required Additional Items:

• Chair
• Tape measure (to measure 3 meters)

General Information (derived from Podsiadlo and Richardson, 1991):

• The subject should sit in a standard chair with arms, placing his or her back against the chair and resting their arms on the chair’s arms.
• If an assistive device is needed for walking, it should be nearby.
• Regular footwear should be used.
• When the test starts, the subject should stand from the chair and walk to a line 3 meters (9.8 feet) away, turn around at the line, walk back to the chair, and sit down.
• The test ends when the subject is seated in the starting position and stable.
• The subject should be instructed to walk at a comfortable walking speed.

• Measure and mark a 3 meter (9.8 feet) walkway.
• Place a standard height chair at the beginning of the walkway.

Step 1: Place 3 Ultium Motion sensors on the subject on these segments:

• Upper Spine
• Left Foot
• Right Foot

Refer to the Ultium Motion Getting Started Guide for further details on setting up sensors in the Hardware Setup before proceeding.

Step 2: If needed, enable Advanced Calibration Modes from the Software Setup.

Step 3: Create a New Subject or Select one from the list.

Step 4: Select the Timed Up & Go Application and the TUG Test Protocol.

Note: If desired, click Configuration when the Tug Test protocol is selected to confirm the configruation contains the Upper Spine, Left Foot, and Right Foot sensors.

Step 5: Click MEASURE from the HOME screen to start recording

Step 1: Select the Multipose Calibration Mode, then click ACTIVATE.

Step 2: Follow the calibration wizard to perform the multipose calibration.

Step 3: After completing the calibration, select Save & Measure Again, then ACTIVATE to apply the calibration to the next recording.

When the subject is ready, click RECORD.

TUG Instructions:

• The subject should sit in a standard chair with arms, placing his or her back against the chair and resting their arms on the chair’s arms.
• If an assistive device is needed for walking, it should be nearby.
• When the recording starts, the subject should stand from the chair and walk to a line 3 meters (9.8 feet) away, turn around at the line, walk back to the chair, and sit down.
• The subject should be instructed to walk at a comfortable walking speed.
• The test ends when the subject is seated in the starting position and stable.
• NOTE: Starting the measurement when the subject is already moving or ending it before the subject is stable will result in failure to detect the TUG activity.

Click REPORT to generate a TUG report.

Compare reports to compare patient progress over time.