CDC setup and timing
Use a standard armchair, regular footwear, a stopwatch, and a line 3 metres (approximately 10 feet) away. Keep a helper nearby. A walking aid may be used if needed. On “Go,” stand, walk at normal pace to the line, turn, return, and sit. Start timing on “Go” and stop when seated again.
Not the 8-Foot Up-and-Go
TUG uses a 3-metre out-and-back course and its own CDC threshold. The 8-Foot Up-and-Go uses a different course and protocol; its reference values are not reused here.
For a separate self-assessment, complete the CDC Stay Independent Fall Risk Questionnaire.
Original CDC STEADI Timed Up & Go protocol (PDF).
Safety: Have another person close enough to assist. Stop if the person becomes unsteady, needs support, or has concerning symptoms. This educational recording tool is not a diagnosis and does not predict whether a particular person will fall.