Thread: get up and go test

what is a get up and go test,i saw this in neurological exam in usmle world,but they didn't mention how to perform it and what is its significance.

Please write back,my exam is in 2 weeks.I will appreciate.

just ask them to get up and go...gait, etc.

This test is to used as a measure of gait assessment, balance of movement and fall-risk assessment in elderly patients. I would rather that this test were called "Get up, go and Get back" Test ..you will see why.


How is the Test Done ?

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

1. Get up from a chair to standing position
2. Walk forward feet in a straight line
3. Turn back around & walk back to the chair
4. Sit down again

You can score it by timing (Less than 20 seconds for the whole procedure is normal , More than 30 seconds indicates gait/balance problems) Or you can score it on a grading system like:

0 - patient does not use arm-rests to get up
1 - uses arm-rest in one attempt
3 - needs multiple attempts
4 - cant get up without assistance

Besides noting gait stability while walking

On the Step 2 CS, I would rather recommend doing the easy timed method OR simple noting what you observed - like difficutly in getting up , unsteady gait and needed assistance to sit back down..etc.

Hope this helps..

can u please comment on grade 2 ,if u missed it....??

thanks.