Evi Verbecque1, Luc Vereeck, An Boudewyns, Paul Van de Heyning, Ann Hallemans. 1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy (Ms Verbecque and Drs Hallemans and Vereeck), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Neck & Head Surgery (Drs Boudewyns and Van de Heyning), Antwerp University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Ms Hallemans), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; and Multidisciplinary Motor Centre Antwerp (Mss Hallemans and Verbecque and Drs Vereeck and Van de Heyning), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study investigated factors predicting the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in children who are preschoolers, using a modified protocol of the TUG. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study of children 3 to 5 years old (n = 192). Regression analysis identified predictive factors for TUG performances. Differences in mean values (standard deviation) were calculated for each age group. RESULTS: The results of 172 children were analyzed. Age and ethnicity were predictive of TUG performance (R = 0.280). Children who are preschoolers with Flemish ethnicity need less time to perform the TUG than their peers with another ethnicity (P < .05), but this difference is not significant for the age groups. The TUG performance differs significantly among all age groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: A modified protocol for the TUG, which is sensitive to age-related changes in dynamic balance control, is proposed for children who are preschoolers.
PURPOSE: This study investigated factors predicting the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in children who are preschoolers, using a modified protocol of the TUG. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study of children 3 to 5 years old (n = 192). Regression analysis identified predictive factors for TUG performances. Differences in mean values (standard deviation) were calculated for each age group. RESULTS: The results of 172 children were analyzed. Age and ethnicity were predictive of TUG performance (R = 0.280). Children who are preschoolers with Flemish ethnicity need less time to perform the TUG than their peers with another ethnicity (P < .05), but this difference is not significant for the age groups. The TUG performance differs significantly among all age groups (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: A modified protocol for the TUG, which is sensitive to age-related changes in dynamic balance control, is proposed for children who are preschoolers.