get up & go test

by Rein Tideiksaar, PhD

Fall risk can be assessed in patients using simple tests like this one.

Have patient sit in straight-backed chair and ask him/her to:

• Get up (without use of armrests, if possible).
  
  
• Stand still momentarily.
  
  
• Walk forward 10 feet.
  
  
• Turn around and walk back to the chair.
  
  
• Sit back down in the chair.

Any observed change in gait, strength or balance is abnormal.

This and other helpful fall risk assessment tools are available as a printable pdf file.

Posted October 2005
Last Updated October 2009