Quick Test To Predict Life Expectancy

Time of India

21-06-2025

New Delhi: A quick 30-second physical assessment might predict how long one might live, according to recent research that connects physical capabilities to lifespan.
The research, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, evaluated individuals' ability to transition between standing and floor-sitting positions and back up again, without utilising their hands, knees or the support of objects or other people.
Health professionals note that this basic movement serves as a crucial health marker, revealing information about a person's physical state, including flexibility, balance, muscle strength and coordination. These physical qualities show a direct link with heart health and overall cardiovascular function.
The Sitting-Rising Test (SRT) evaluated 4,282 people aged 46 to 75 years (68% men), with scores from 0 to 10 based on performance.
Lower-scoring participants showed higher mortality rates. Middle-aged and older subjects who completed the test independently demonstrated better survival rates.
The study expanded upon previous research examining SRT scores and longevity. The test is scored out of 10 points — 5 for sitting down and 5 for standing up. Begin by crossing one foot in front of the other and lowering yourself to the floor; deduct 1 point for each support used (hand, forearm or knee).
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Once seated, stand up using the same method of scoring: subtract 1 point for each support and 0.5 points for any loss of balance or wobble.
Throughout a 12-year median observation period, natural causes resulted in 665 deaths, comprising 15.5% of participants. Mortality rates were 3.7% for those scoring 10, rising to 11.1% for scores of 8. The lowest-scoring 10% (0-4) showed a 42.1% mortality rate. After accounting for various factors, those scoring 0-4 showed 3.8 times higher overall mortality risk and 6.0 times higher cardiovascular mortality risk compared to those scoring 10, who could sit and rise from the floor without support or instability.
Researcher Claudio Gil Araújo advised against unsupervised testing. People with physical limitations, including hip or spine injuries, or severe joint conditions, should also avoid this assessment to prevent potential harm.
Dr Niranjan Hiremath, senior cardiovascular consultant and aortic surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, explained, "Poor performance in SRT may indicate reduced cardiovascular reserve, arterial stiffness — an early marker of aging blood vessels — or autonomic nervous system dysfunction, which affects how well the heart adjusts during movement.
This test highlights functional decline that is often invisible in standard check-ups.
Patients may have normal blood pressure or cholesterol levels, but if they lack the physical ability to perform simple movements, their long-term risk for cardiac events may still be high."
Dr Ashish Agarwal, director and head, cardiology, Aakash Healthcare, noted that poor performance might indicate muscle weakness, joint stiffness, coordination issues, or excess weight.
These factors correlate with heart disease, diabetes and chronic conditions.
Emphasising that performance enhancement was achievable through consistent effort, Dr Manish Dhawan, senior consultant, orthopaedics, Sir Gangaram Hospital, recommended stretching routines for legs, hips and lower back to maintain flexibility as well as strength training through squats and chair-rising exercises without hand support to build leg and hip strength.
He advised core exercises, including planks and floor routines, to strengthen back and abdominal muscles and single-leg standing, yoga and gentle exercises are recommended for balance improvement.
Dr Sanjeev Aggarwal, director, cardiac sciences, Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, stressed the significance of incorporating activities promoting flexibility into everyday routines rather than treating them as sporadic exercise sessions.