Do you know if you are ageing well?
This question can be answered by seeing if you can pass the ‘sit-rise’ test.
This simple test was devised by researchers in Brazil, who conducted a six-year study of 2 000 men and women aged 51 to 80, and found the ability to sit down and get back up again without using anything, including a hand or knee to support yourself, is an indicator of longevity.
Try the ‘sit-rise’ test
- Note that this test isn’t recommended if you have an injury or other health problems.
- Wearing comfortable clothes and with bare feet, stand with your feet crossed. Now lower yourself to a seated position on the ground. You’ve earned five points.
- Then slowly come back up to a standing position. Again, give yourself five points. However, whether you’re sitting down or coming back up, you lose a point for every hand, arm, or knee you use for support, and half a point whenever you lose your balance.
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Results
Your results are scored on a scale of one to 10, and in the Brazilian study, those who scored three or fewer points were more than five times as likely to die within the next six years, compared with those who scored more than eight points.
The test is a measure of muscular and skeletal strength, but, of course, cardio-respiratory fitness is also strongly related to survival.
Want to test your biological age?
Go to heartage.co.za to take an interactive heart-age test, endorsed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA. It’ll take about five minutes, and you’ll get your results instantly.
DISCLAIMER: You must not rely on the information on this website/newsletter as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.
