Differences in Timed Up and Go and Gait Speed Tests between Older Adults with High and Low Falls Risk / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

ABSTRACT

Falls is one of the main problems in older adults, which indirectly contributes to deterioration of quality of life, morbidityand mortality. The purpose of this study was to examine the difference in values between Timed Up and Go (TUG) andgait speed tests among community dwelling older adults with high and low risk of falls classified using PPA (PhysiologicalProfile Assessment). This cross-sectional study involved 278 older adults aged between 60 to 88 years, recruited fromsenior citizen club around Klang Valley. 40.6% older adults had high risk of falls and mostly were women (75%). Theresults of the study showed that there was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in TUG and Gait speed tests performancebetween older adults with high and low risk of falls. Declined mobility (longer time of TUG test) and increased age wereidentified as significant (p < 0.05) risk factors for falls in this study. The TUG test reference values obtained in this studymay be useful for early identification, prevention and management of falls among community dwelling older adults.