Simple Test Predicts Longevity

[NW-Bound]

Neat machine, but I do not see my FIL zipping around the nursing home on a powered chair like that.

And being the cautious and pessimistic guy that I am, I cringed when I watched the demonstrator zooming up/down and zipping in/out under that car. I could imagine a user not having enough clearance under the car, and gouging his eyes out with a bolt protruding from the car bottom.

 

[deserat]

Both of my knees have had the ACLs reconstructed and looking at the lateral stresses that are placed on the knees in these videos, I would not even attempt it. As for my health, well, I still get tested every year on my fitness for the Reserves and am usually getting and excellent, so I won't sweat it so much. I think the key is to keep moving as much as possible for cardiovascular conditioning, weight lift or stress the bones and muscles to keep them growing and stretch for flexibility and grace.

 

[CoolChange]

I tried this last night at the gym in their aerobics room with mirrors everywhere so I could watch myself doing this and went down and back up on my first try with no issues other than probably being a bit too wobbly to score a perfect 10. I really expected to have to make multiple attempts, practice, etc.

I am mid-40's with no known major health issues; so, I probably have a very low chance of dying in the next six years anyway. But, this made me feel oddly better anyway.

 

[azphx1972]

Tried it, quite easy. But 20 years ago, I was running marathons & doing backpack trips. Now 63.

Impressive. I hope to be in the same shape in 20 years!

 

[ERD50]

Both of my knees have had the ACLs reconstructed and looking at the lateral stresses that are placed on the knees in these videos, I would not even attempt it. As for my health, well, I still get tested every year on my fitness for the Reserves and am usually getting and excellent, so I won't sweat it so much. I think the key is to keep moving as much as possible for cardiovascular conditioning, weight lift or stress the bones and muscles to keep them growing and stretch for flexibility and grace.

Yes, I suppose this test is meaningful when applied to large numbers, but then again, just about any measure of physical ability could provide that.

But I think it is near meaningless to try to apply the number to an individual. As you say, any specific problem in the knees would have a huge impact on ability to perform this test. DW goes to the Y a couple times a week, I showed her and she said she wouldn't even attempt it. But I expect her to outlive me. Esp if I don't get out of here and finish my Christmas shopping!

-ERD50

 

[NW-Bound]

Heck, the stress of Xmas shopping will have an impact on your longevity already.

No Xmas shopping here, except for consumables like food and booze, as we will host a Xmas Day party and possibly a New Year one too.

 

[grasshopper]

Every year I take and pass the Arduous, Pack Test, 3-mile hike with 45-pound pack in 45 min. This is the fitness level test required for Hot Shot and Smokejumper Firefighters. Well I must have tree trunks for legs instead of the slim, long muscles of others. Getting down was OK getting up I one handed it.

 

[jim747]

I used to easily do the crossed leg method all the time but I have found a little extra forward and aft ballast so it's a bit more difficult. Watch this at the 2:00 and 3:00 minute marks. These young ladies have it figured out. http://sorisomail.com/flv/videos/268/34321.mp4

 

[powerplay]

I'm curious if anyone who has had a knee or hip replacement would even attempt this?

 

[braumeister]

I used to easily do the crossed leg method all the time but I have found a little extra forward and aft ballast so it's a bit more difficult.

Me, too.
But I can easily stand straight up from a kneeling position with no hands. That seems to amaze some of my friends.

 

[Purron]

Me, too.
But I can easily stand straight up from a kneeling position with no hands. That seems to amaze some of my friends.

They recently added the option to upload videos here at er.org. I'm ready to be amazed Oh, bonus points if you can do this holding a brewski in each hand without spilling a drop.

 

[eytonxav]

I can squat over 400lbs, breaking parallel with free weights. I can leg press almost 800lbs.

I just watched both videos and tried it again. I hit the floor so hard on the way down my butt hurts.

No way I could get up without using a hand.

+1, LOL same with me. Seems to be more a test of flexibility and probably easier if you are not carrying too much bulk.

 

[Alan]

Since drinking a glass of red wine each day is also good for longevity, can you get even better longevity if you do this test while drinking a glass without spilling it?

 

[oldtrig]

I am still on the floor waiting for some help getting up

 

[grasshopper]

I am still on the floor waiting for some help getting up

You really need this.


http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/emergency-response-pendants-64160.html

 

[NW-Bound]

I am still on the floor waiting for some help getting up

You really need this.

http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/f38/emergency-response-pendants-64160.html

Obviously, you were able to crawl to the laptop or PC to make a post. Nah, you don't need no stinkin' emergency pendant.

 

[RAE]

I can sit down gently into a cross-legged position - no problem. I automatically did it that way. Standing back up - almost!

Yep, same here Audrey. I've been able to get up a couple times without touching a hand to the floor, but I clearly wobble/stagger (badly), so that is a half point deduction. My wife can do this with no deductions (and she is gloating about that now)........dang, I gotta keep working on this!

 

[NW-Bound]

I felt really good when I passed the test. Then, today, I refrained from posting during the day, so that I could go out to do some yard maintenance work. At the end of the day, I stood back, looked at what I achieved and I did not feel proud at all. I accomplished perhaps 1/4 of what I was able to 20 years ago. OK, 20 years is a long time, but I am not even 60.

I feel tired now, and not sure if I can watch that DVD movie I intended to. It may be time for nite-nite. And tomorrow, I will contemplate upping my WR to 4%. There's no point in leaving my children too much, as it would just spoil them.

 

[Nords]

Apparently it helps to be under age 20...

Both of my knees have had the ACLs reconstructed and looking at the lateral stresses that are placed on the knees in these videos, I would not even attempt it.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that cute young thing in the video has two ACLs too.

We learn a variety of taekwondo techniques for getting up off the floor in a hurry, usually involving self-defense. However they all use at least two points of contact to lever yourself up (and out of striking range). I'm not convinced that the researchers in this thread have discovered anything more than a high degree of correlation with minimal causation.

Perhaps we should re-do the test to see how quickly we could get the researchers down on the floor with us. Then I bet they'd be willing to revise their longevity projections...

 

[zinger1457]

Any score in the 8-10 range puts one in the low risk category so even if you have to use one hand to get down and up you're doing better than most.

If a middle-aged or older man or woman can sit and rise from the floor using just one hand - or even better without the help of a hand - they are not only in the higher quartile of musculo-skeletal fitness but their survival prognosis is probably better than that of those unable to do so.

 

[donheff]

Me, too.
But I can easily stand straight up from a kneeling position with no hands. That seems to amaze some of my friends.

They recently added the option to upload videos here at er.org. I'm ready to be amazed Oh, bonus points if you can do this holding a brewski in each hand without spilling a drop.

I have a hard time with the regular version of the test. I can barely make it up with my feet crossed but it isn't pretty. But I tried it from kneeling and had no problem. I think I could even do it with the brewskis as long as I didn't top them up. Oh, and Merry Christmas.