SAN ANTONIO — Most of us would love to find the fountain of youth. Anything we can do to live longer. In this Verify we look into one simple movement that could determine your life span. This Verify was sent in by KENS5 viewer Melinda Gould after she saw a video on Facebook.
THE QUESTION
Can your ability to get up and down off of the floor without using your hands be a predictor of longevity?
THE SOURCES
- Dr. Sherry McAllister, the President of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress
- Dr. Andy Fata-Chan, physical therapist with Moment Physical Therapy and Performance
- Dr. Liza Egbogah, a chiropractor and posture expert
THE ANSWER
TRUE
WHAT WE FOUND
This is based on a 2012 study published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology. They looked at 2,000 adults ages 51 to 80. That movement was scored zero to five. What they found actually was the people six years later that passed away actually had the lowest sit sitting rising test score.
Dr. McAllister says that claim has some weight to it, but you need to consider other health issues too.
"You need to look at the age of the person, the body mass index. Have you had kind of trauma or chronic conditions, hip or back pain, because those all make a major difference when you have to get up from a sitting position," McAllister said.
Dr. Fata-Chan says co-morbidities and chronic conditions could indicate how healthy you've been your entire life.
"And if it's reflective a more inactive lifestyle than your chances of longevity and things like that are going to decrease over time," said Fata-Chan.
Dr. Egbogah says recent injuries will impact that test in the short term.
"We just have to take it, and that that test is a good indicator of mobility and flexibility, and that is what is associated with a longer life," Dr. Egbogah, said.
So the majority say yes, it is true. Your ability to get up and down off of the floor without using your hands could be a predictor of longevity.