A study involving over 13,000 Taiwanese adults suggests that performance on seven simple physical fitness tests can predict an individual's likelihood of an early death. Researchers found that measures of flexibility, strength, balance, and agility correlated with lifespan.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed 13,423 participants with an average age of 73, of whom nearly two-thirds were female. Scientists aimed to establish a link between physical fitness and all-cause mortality. The research team, with members from institutions including Chung Yuan Christian University, assessed physical fitness through seven distinct tests.
These tests measured heart and lung fitness by counting steps taken in two minutes. Muscle strength was evaluated by the number of bicep curls completed in 30 seconds and the number of times participants could stand up and sit down from a chair in 30 seconds. Flexibility was assessed by measuring how far participants could reach behind their back while seated. Balance and agility were tested by timing how long individuals could stand on one leg. Additionally, the speed at which participants could stand from a chair, walk eight feet, turn, and sit down again was recorded.
Researchers combined the results of these tests into an overall fitness score. They found that individuals who were quickest at completing the chair-stand-walk-turn-sit test had a 59% lower risk of death during the seven-year study period. Those who could balance on one leg the longest had a 50% lower risk, while participants performing the most chair stands in 30 seconds showed a 45% reduced risk. The top performers in the two-minute stepping test had a 42% lower risk.
Overall, the fittest group, based on the combined score from all seven tests, had approximately a 61% lower risk of death during the study period compared to the least fit group. The findings suggest that physical fitness is a distinct indicator of health and could encourage routine fitness assessments for older individuals.
Authors noted that good balance, movement, and leg strength might reduce the risk of falls, which can lead to serious fractures and potentially fatal outcomes in older adults. Performing well on balance and walking tests may also indicate better neuromuscular control. The study also observed that those who died during the period were more likely to be older, have lower socioeconomic status, and possess pre-existing health conditions, in addition to being less physically active.
While the study was conducted on Taiwanese adults, its findings could have implications for promoting physical activity in other populations. In the UK, for instance, adults are advised to engage in 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, yet a significant portion of middle-aged adults do not meet this recommendation. Low physical activity levels are associated with increased risks of serious health complications such as cancer, obesity, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes, and carry substantial economic costs.