Relationships between the Lower Extremity Function of the Frail Elderly and the Timed Up-and-Go Test and Walking Speed

Abstract

Purpose: We examined the relationships between the lower limb function of frail elderly persons and the timed up-and-go (TUG) test and walking speed. Subjects: The subjects were 134 frail elderly persons (60 men, 74 women) with an average age of 78.4 ± 8.6 years. Method: We examined the relationships between items of lower limb function tests such as lower limb strength and lower limb loading force and the TUG test and walking speed for each gender with Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Significant correlations between both TUG and walking speed were found with all the items of the lower extremity function test, showing their appropriateness as assessment scales for apprehending lower limb function of the frail elderly. Judging the relationships from the strength of the correlation, walking speed had a stronger relationship than the TUG test with all of the items. Conclusion: The results suggest that walking speed better reflects the lower extremity function of frail elderly persons than the TUG test.