Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Simple at-home tests can help assess strength, balance, power, and endurance, all of which are linked to longevity.
- Experts highlight gait speed, grip strength, lower-body strength, and balance as reliable indicators of future independence.
- These tests reflect functional fitness: your ability to move safely and confidently through daily life.
- Regular strength, conditioning, and balance training can improve performance on these tests over time.
Health narrative has changed, mostly for the better, over the last few decades. When it comes to aging, the focus has shifted from “How old am I?” to “How well am I aging?”
Recent expert discussions suggest that a few simple physical tests can provide meaningful insight into long-term independence and overall resilience.
These tests do not diagnose disease. Instead, they assess physical capacity, which is a strong predictor of healthspan.
Sitting-Rising Test
This test, also known as the sit-to-rise test (SRT), assesses the components of non-aerobic fitness, specifically muscular strength, flexibility, balance, and body composition.
It serves as a measure of functional fitness and joint range of motion.
How To Do
- Preparation: Wear loose, comfortable clothing and remove your shoes and socks. Stand on a non-slip surface, such as a yoga mat or carpet.
- The Movement: Cross one foot in front of the other. Without using your hands, knees, arms, or the side of your legs for support, slowly lower yourself until you are sitting on the floor.
- The Return: From the seated position, try to stand back up, again attempting to do so without using any assistance or support.
How To Evaluate
The test is scored on a 10-point scale (5 points for sitting down, 5 points for standing up).
- Start with 10 points.
- Subtract 1 point for every support used (e.g., hand, knee, forearm, or side of the leg).
- Subtract 0.5 points if you are unsteady or lose your balance at any time.
| Age Group | Target Score |
|---|---|
| 30–49 | Aim for 10 |
| 50–59 | 9–10 ideal |
| 60+ | 8+ considered very good |
- High Risk: Scoring between 0 and 4 is associated with a risk of death up to six times higher (specifically from cardiovascular disease) compared to those with high scores.
Expert Comment
Dr. Claudio Gil Araújo, the dean of research and education at the Exercise Medicine Clinic in Brazil, who developed the test, notes that it is a strong predictor of mortality. He explains that the test measures attributes vital for avoiding falls and maintaining active function.
Eric L’Italien, a physical therapist at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, adds that while people often focus on aerobic exercise, this test highlights overlooked aspects of fitness, such as flexibility and balance.
Walking Speed Assessment
This test measures gait speed, a significant indicator of vitality and functional capacity.
Walking relies on the coordination of multiple systems, including the circulatory, nervous, musculoskeletal, and sensory systems, making speed a reflection of overall biological and brain aging.
How To Do
- Setup: Measure a distance of 4 meters (approx. 13 feet) or up to 10 meters on a flat, straight surface.
- Execution: Walk the distance at your normal pace (do not speed walk).
- Measurement: Use a stopwatch to time how long it takes to cover the distance. To calculate your speed, divide the distance (meters) by the time (seconds).
How To Evaluate
A general goal for people of all ages is a gait of at least 1.2 meters per second. Slower speeds are associated with "accelerated aging," smaller brain volume, and higher risks of heart disease.
Age-Specific Averages (Meters Per Second):
| Age Group | Typical Healthy Range For Males | Typical Healthy Range For Females |
|---|---|---|
| 40-49 | 1.43 m/s | 1.39 m/s |
| 50-59 | 1.43 m/s | 1.31 m/s |
| 60-69 | 1.43 m/s | 1.24 m/s |
| 70-79 | 1.26 m/s | 1.13 m/s |
| 80-89 | 0.97 m/s | 0.94 m/s |
Gait speed below 0.8 m/s is frequently used in geriatric medicine as a threshold for mobility risk.
Expert Comment
Jennifer Brach, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, states that walking speed is "predictive of future decline... mortality, nursing home placement, disability, a whole host of different things".
Line Rasmussen, a researcher at Duke University, notes that walking speed is not just a sign of physical aging but also "a window into lifelong brain health," linking slow walking at age 45 to poorer cognitive function.
Grip Strength Test
Grip strength is a proxy for overall musculoskeletal strength and is linked to metabolic health, disease resilience, and longevity.
Weak grip strength is a better predictor of premature death than blood pressure and is associated with accelerated DNA aging.
How To Do
There are a few ways to test this:
- Dynamometer: This is the clinical standard where you squeeze a device that measures force in kilograms.
- Tennis Ball Squeeze (Home Version): Squeeze a tennis ball (or similar object) with maximum effort for as long as possible before fatigue sets in.
- Farmer’s Carry (Home Version): Pick up heavy dumbbells, one in each hand, and walk for two minutes. If you cannot hold the weight for the full time, the weight is too heavy.
How To Evaluate
- Tennis Ball: Aim to maintain a maximal squeeze for 15–30 seconds.
- Farmer's Carry: Benchmarks vary by age. For example, a 65-year-old man should aim to carry two 40-pound dumbbells; a 65-year-old woman should aim for two 25-pound dumbbells.
- Dynamometer: Scores below 25.5 kg for men and 18 kg for women suggest a risk of sarcopenia (muscle loss).
Expert Comment
Dr. Darryl Leong of McMaster University explains that grip strength reflects the sum of a person's nutrition, physical activity, and illness history.
Dr. Guillaume Paré adds that a weak handshake can be a "red flag" for metabolic dysfunction and future health issues, noting that muscle acts as a reservoir to soak up excess blood glucose.
Single Leg Stand
This test, also known as the 10-second balance test, measures balance and stability, which naturally decline with age. It is used to assess the risk of falls, a leading cause of injury and death in older adults.
How To Do
- Position: Stand barefoot on a flat surface.
- Execution: Lift one foot off the ground. You may place it behind you or hold it up, but do not rest it against your standing leg.
- Stability: Keep your arms by your sides (or in any position, though some protocols specify arms at your sides). Do not hold onto a wall or chair.
- Duration: Attempt to hold the position for at least 10 seconds.
How To Evaluate
The goal is to hold the stance for 10 seconds on each side.
- Failure to complete: A study found that adults aged 51 to 75 who could not complete the 10-second stand had an 84% higher risk of dying within the next seven years compared to those who could.
Expert Comment
Anne Vanderbilt, a geriatric medicine clinical nurse specialist, emphasizes that while the test predicts longevity, it is largely an indication of overall health; those with poor balance may have underlying chronic conditions or be less physically active.
Dr. Claudio Gil Araújo notes that 20% of middle-aged and older adults fail this test, underscoring the need for interventions to prevent future falls.
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How To Improve Your Score On Each Exercise?
Sitting-Rising Test
- Stationary Lunges: Improve leg strength and balance. Do 5–10 reps per leg, 2–3 sets.
- Hamstring Stretches: Lie on your back and use a strap to pull your leg toward your head to improve flexibility.
- Planks: Strengthen the core to assist in stability.
- Practice: Start by using supports (like a wall or chair) and gradually work toward using fewer supports.
Walking Speed
- Intervals: Increase the duration and intensity of walking every few weeks.
- Frequent Breaks: If you have a sedentary job, take 5-minute walking breaks to interrupt sitting time.
Grip Strength
- Squeeze Exercises: Use a tennis ball or stress ball to work hand muscles.
- Carries: Practice the "farmer’s carry" with grocery bags or weights to build endurance.
- Wrist Curls: Use a can or light weight to perform wrist curls, 2–3 sets of 10–20 reps.
Single Leg Stand
- "The Flamingo": Stand on one leg while performing daily tasks like brushing your teeth or washing dishes.
- Tai Chi: Practicing Tai Chi three times a week can significantly improve balance.
- Water Workouts: Walking against a current or exercising in a pool reduces fall risk while building stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is never too late to improve physical ability. Data show that people in their 90s can improve strength and function with light activity.
While these tests can be done at home, you should not attempt them if you have existing disabilities, arthritis, or pain. For the Sitting-Rising test, it is recommended to have a partner nearby for safety. If you have poor balance, ensure you are near a stable surface.
These tests act as proxies for the health of your body's systems. For instance, walking speed requires the proper functioning of the heart, lungs, brain, and muscles. A decline in test performance often signals underlying problems in these systems before they become obvious medical crises.
The test results may not apply broadly to all populations as original studies focused on specific socioeconomic groups, and the test excludes those with physical restrictions or pregnancy. However, it remains a useful tool for tracking personal progress in non-aerobic fitness.
Summary: What These Simple Tests Tell You About Aging Well
Aging well is less about chronological age and more about how effectively your body functions in everyday life.
Simple physical tests, offer practical ways to assess strength, mobility, endurance, and stability, all of which are closely linked to long-term independence and resilience.
Research shows that performance on these tests reflects the combined health of multiple systems, including muscles, joints, cardiovascular fitness, and neurological control.
Lower scores are often associated with higher risks of falls, disability, and chronic disease, while stronger performance tends to correlate with better healthspan and longevity.
These tests are not diagnostic tools. They are indicators of functional fitness your ability to move safely, confidently, and efficiently through daily life.
The encouraging takeaway is that performance on all of these measures can improve with regular strength training, balance work, and consistent movement, even later in life.
