According to Discover Magazine, a simple sitting test could predict longevity. It’s no secret that balance, flexibility, and strength are key indicators of good health. People who lack one or more of these skills face an increased risk of death. Claudio Gil Araujo, a Brazilian physician, has created a test that measures these factors in order to determine how long one will live.
As people age, they lose their flexibility and muscle strength. Everyday activities, such as picking objects up from the floor or climbing the stairs can become a chore. Loss of balance and muscle power may also lead to injuries and falls. Araujo noticed these things a long time ago. Many of his older patients had a hard time moving around, bending down, and squatting, so he decided to help them.
Araujo claims that most clinical tests assessing balance, flexibility, and strength are too complicated and time consuming. Some require expensive equipment, such as adjustable chairs or special stopwatches. The physician gathered his team and developed a simple test called SRT (Sitting-Rising-Test). Unlike traditional tests, it requires no walking paths or fancy equipment.
So far, the test has been conducted on over 2,000 people ages 51 to 80. Those who scored less than three points were five times more likely to die than those who scored eight points or more. Each point increase was linked to a 21 percent decrease in death from all causes.
The SRT is simple and can be performed by anyone, regardless of age. Basically, you have to stand up straight in your bare feet, lower yourself to a sitting position on the ground, and then return to the starting position without using your hands or legs for support. Basically, the test has two steps: getting down and back up from a sitting position. Subtract one point each time you’re using a hand or knee for support.
