A Modified Version of the Timed Up and Go Test for Children Who Are Preschoolers

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated factors predicting the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in children who are preschoolers, using a modified protocol of the TUG.Method: This was a cross-sectional study of children 3 to 5 years old (n = 192). Regression analysis identified predictive factors for TUG performances. Differences in mean values (standard deviation) were calculated for each age group.Results: The results of 172 children were analyzed. Age and ethnicity were predictive of TUG performance (R-2 = 0.280). Children who are preschoolers with Flemish ethnicity need less time to perform the TUG than their peers with another ethnicity (P < .05), but this difference is not significant for the age groups. The TUG performance differs significantly among all age groups (P < .05).Conclusions: A modified protocol for the TUG, which is sensitive to age-related changes in dynamic balance control, is proposed for children who are preschoolers.