Your Moves Might Reflect Your Longevity

A recent study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology expanded on a 2012 study about how the Sit and Rise Test (SRT) predicts longevity. SRT could be beneficial in medical exams, particularly for older adults.

1. The Downs and Ups

   SRT measures an individual’s ability to lower themselves to a seated position on the floor and then rise back to a standing position with little to no assistance from other body parts, external props such as a chair, table or wall, or from another person.

2. What Does SRT Measure?

   SRT is a good indicator of a person’s muscle strength, flexibility, core stability and joint mobility. Overall body strength and balance tend to decline with age. SRT can provide a baseline approach to measuring musculoskeletal health.

3. Higher Is Better

   A perfect score is 10 (5 points for sitting; 5 points for standing) with a point deducted any time support is needed to transition to either position.

4. How Results Correlate With Longevity

   Higher SRT scores are linked to significantly lower risk of death from natural and cardiovascular causes. In the follow-up study of adults aged 46-75, those with low scores (0-4) had a 42% mortality rate compared to just 3.7% for those with a perfect score of 10.

5. SRT in Wellness Exams

   SRT can be performed in any setting and is a quick way to gauge a patient’s physical abilities. A low score could indicate the need for an exercise program that focuses on strengthening the core and lower body or specialized assessments for more concerning cases.

Bottom line: A low SRT score could indicate that a patient needs to improve their strength, flexibility and balance necessary for musculoskeletal health, a predictor of longevity. Incorporating SRT in practice is a simple and fast way to measure physical functionality.