Abstract
Objective: To examine, in the literature, the importance and applicability of the Timed Up and Go test as a measure of functional mobility and balance in older adults. Methods: bibliographic review, from Scielo, Lilacs, Pubmed and Medline. The search was limited to English language publications and conducted between 2004 and 2014 and was performed with the combination of the terms "postural control", "elderly", "functional mobility", "functional testing". Articles that studied the changes of aging, with emphasis on balance, postural control, and functional mobility, and articles that reported on the evaluation of these parameters through the Timed Up and Go Test. Results: were included, were initially selected, 34 articles and 2 jobs completion of course, after reading the titles and abstracts of articles, only 25 articles and 1 conclusion course work were used in the construction of this review. Conclusion: the Timed Up and Go test has proven effective in the assessment of functional mobility and balance in the elderly, with extensive use observed in several studies. The research can be extended and performed experimentally with elderly groups.