There’re a lot of tests out there that claim to predict your health. Unfortunately though, most require exercising in a lab or having your blood drawn. There is, however, a very reliable test called the sitting-rising test that can reliably test your health.
The Study:
A study had 2,002 participants aged 51 to 80 sit down from a standing position and immediately rise back up without supporting themselves with their hands, knees or arms (see below).
Each participant started with 10 points. Every time a participant’s hand, knee, forearm or side of the leg touched the floor, they lost a point. Participants also lost a point if their hand touched their knee and a half a point if they wobbled.
Participants were grouped into scores of 0 to 3, 3.5 to 5.5, 6 to 7.5 and 8 to 10 and were followed for up to 14 years thereafter. Not surprisingly, scores were low for older participants (see below).
But how did scores relate to mortality? Compared to those who scored an 8 to 10, those who scored a 6 to 7.5 had an 84% higher risk of mortality over the next 6 years. Those who scored a 3.5 to 5.5 and a 0 to 3 had a 3.4 fold and a 5.4 fold increased risk of mortality, respectively. Overall, the researchers found that each additional point on the scale improved mortality risk by 21%.
Conclusion:
So give it a try! If you scored less than a 10, use it as an incentive to keep becoming more physically fit. If you scored a 10, great job. But, don’t use that as an excuse to slack off!
Citation:
de Brito, Leonardo Barbosa Barreto, et al. “Ability to sit and rise from the floor as a predictor of all-cause mortality.” European journal of preventive cardiology(2012): 2047487312471759.
