Are the Timed Up and Go Test and Functional Reach Test useful predictors of temporal and spatial gait parameters in elderly people?

Purpose The study aim was to analyse the relationships between the results of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and the Functional Reach Test (FRT), and the temporal and spatial gait parameters determined with the GAITRite system. Methods The study included 60 healthy, physically active elderly people aged 70.4 ± 5.1 years. The participants’ functional fitness was evaluated with the TUG and FRT, and their temporal and spatial gait parameters – with the GAITRite system. Results The TUG results correlated inversely with the step length (r = –0.70 and r = –0.61 for the preferred and fast speed, respectively), stride length (r = –0.71 and r = –0.61, respectively), and velocity (r = –0.69 and r = –0.38, respectively). The regression model with these variables explained 43% of variance in the TUG results (p ≤ 0.0001). The FRT results correlated positively with the step length (r = 0.61 and r = 0.54, for the preferred and fast speed, respectively), stride length (r = 0.60 and r = 0.56, respectively), and velocity (r = 0.37 and r = 0.38). The regression model with these variables explained 26% of variance in the FRT outcomes. Conclusions Basic temporal and spatial parameters of gait at the preferred speed, i.e. velocity, step length, stance time, single support time, swing time, and double support time, explain up to 43% of the TUG outcome variance and 26% of the FRT results variance.