Age and education influence the performance of elderly women on the dual-task timed up and go test

Abstract

Gait variability is related to functional decline in the elderly. The dual-task Timed Up and Go Test (TUG-DT) reflects the performance in daily activities. Objective: To evaluate the differences in time to perform the TUG with and without DT in elderly women with different ages and levels of education and physical activity. Method: Ninety-two elderly women perfomed the TUG at usual and fast speeds, with and without motor and cognitive DT. Results: Increases in the time to perform the TUG-DT were observed at older ages and lower educational levels, but not at different levels of physical activity. More educated women performed the test faster with and without DT at both speeds. When age was considered, significant differences were found only for the TUG-DT at both speeds. Conclusion: Younger women with higher education levels demonstrated better performances on the TUG-DT.