Test For Risk of Mortality

I saw two interesting articles this week describing a simple test to determine if you are at a higher risk of mortality. There was a nine-year study done on more than 2000 people ranging from ages 51 to 80 years old and the results were statistically conclusive.

The test is simple. There are two things measured. One is moving from a standing to a seated position on the floor and the other is moving from a seated position on the floor to a standing position. Each movement is worth 5 points, totaling 10 points altogether. A score of 10 has the lowest risk of mortality; 0 has the highest risk. If the subject used their hand, knee, lower leg, forearm, any other appendage or additional form of assistance, 1 was subtracted  for each one. For example, if the person leaned to one hip, kneeled and used one hand to change a position, 3 was subtracted from 5.0. If the person lost their balance or seemed unstable, 0.5 was subtracted.  The two scores were added together.  A score below 8 had double the chance of mortality in the next 6.3 years.  If someone could increase their score by one in the sitting to standing test they reduced their risk of mortality by 21%

Flexibility, coordination, body strength and power-to-body weight ratio are factors represented in this test, indicative of life expectancy. Here are the links to the articles and a video you can watch:  http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-12/esoc-ats121012.php and http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/254100.php

Some people are skeptical about the value of this test, but I found it quite interesting and had to try it myself.

Test For Risk of Mortality