Can the timed up and go test be used as a predictor of muscle strength in older adults?

Abstract

This study analyzed the timed up and go test (TUG) as a tool to evaluate muscle strength in community-dwelling older people. As a methodology, an observational, cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted. Data from 442 older people were analyzed, both women (71.7%) and men (28.3%). Ages ranged from 62- 104 years, with a mean of 80.85 (±8.047) years. TUG was used as a tool to evaluate muscle strength. Comparison and correlation analyses were performed to compare performance between the TUG and the chair stand test (CST) and between TUG and handgrip strength (HGS). Analysis of agreement between the diagnosis of low physical performance on TUG and the diagnosis of muscle weakness on CST and HGS was also performed. The predictive values were estimated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. The analyses showed a moderate direct proportional correlation between TUG and CST performance and low inversely proportional correlations between TUG and HGS performance and between CST and HGS (p<0.001). In the accuracy analyses, it was observed that TUG test could predict muscle strength in CST (S 34.4%; PPV 91.5%; NPV 26.1%; AUC=0.779; 95%CI 0.724-0.835; p<0.001) and handgrip dynamometry (S 44.2%; PPV 77.4%; NPV 67.2%; AUC=0.652; 95%CI 0.599-0.705; p<0.001). The Timed Up and Go test was able to satisfactorily indicate individuals with normal muscle strength in CST.