Five-second test could reveal risk of early death

The findings suggest that this everyday action reflects multiple aspects of physical health that are strongly tied to longevity.

Striking results

The research followed adults between the ages of 46 and 75 and evaluated their performance on what is known as the sitting-rising test. Participants were scored on their ability to sit down on the floor and stand back up while using as little assistance as possible.

Over the following years, researchers tracked deaths from cardiovascular disease as well as deaths from all causes. The results were striking. Adults who achieved the highest scores were about six times less likely to die from heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions during the next 10 years, and four times less likely to die from any cause, compared with those who struggled most with the movement.

Claudio Gil Araújo, a sports medicine physician and the study’s lead author, says the test stands out because it captures several critical components of physical fitness at once.Continue reading…