Simple Floor Test Linked to Longevity, New Study Suggests

A basic physical movement—one most people rarely think about—may offer surprising insight into long-term health and survival. According to new research, the ability to sit down on the floor and stand back up without assistance could help identify adults at higher risk of premature death.The study, published in June 2024 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, found a strong connection between performance on this simple movement and the likelihood of surviving the next decade. Researchers say the test reflects several core elements of physical fitness that are closely tied to aging and overall health.

What Is the Sitting-Rising Test?

The movement examined in the study is known as the sitting-rising test. It asks one straightforward question:Can you sit down on the floor and stand back up again without using your hands, knees, elbows, or other support?

While it sounds simple, the test simultaneously measures strength, balance, flexibility, coordination, and body control—factors that tend to decline with age and chronic illness.

Inside the Research

Researchers followed adults aged 46 to 75, assessing how well each participant performed the sitting-rising test at the start of the study. Participants were given scores based on how much support they needed to complete the movement.Over the following years, scientists tracked deaths from cardiovascular disease as well as deaths from all causes. The differences between score groups were striking.

Adults who achieved the highest scores were:

About six times less likely to die from cardiovascular disease

Around four times less likely to die from any cause over the next 10 years

compared with those who had the lowest scores.

Why This Movement Matters

The study’s lead author, sports medicine physician Dr. Claudio Gil Araújo, explained that the test stands out because it captures multiple dimensions of fitness at once.