How many middle aged people could do these tests successfully? ........

...... I wondered as I read this article These Simple Tests Could Predict How Long You Live written by Bryan Nelson. It was the catchy title that caught my eye and of course I had to read it. Then, it was too late not to consider how much more exercise I need to do to pass the tests.

Although the first study makes an important statement on the importance of fitness and exercise in our lives, it is very limiting with its findings. Only middle aged men were the subjects of the 10 year longitudinal research study carried out in 2019 at Harvard University.



However, the next two tests talked about in the article hits the target for everyone - women and men. Even if the reader is not in the age range of 51 to 80, the message is apt for the general population of all age groups. Like, for instance walking or running up 3 or 4 flights of stairs without getting puffed or stopping to take a breath is tough. That is unless the person is highly fit.

The next test called The Sitting Rising Test maybe very easy for a fit younger person or a fit older person. But perhaps not so much for a middle aged/senior individual who does not engage in regular exercise or someone who has bad knees and hip.

While it is unnerving for older people fit or unfit, to learn about a valid and reliable proven connection between passing these tests and a long life, perhaps the tests results are meant to get people of all ages active. It is easy for younger people to slacken off too.



The test results might also serve as an incentive for individuals to actually start exercising at the gym, attend pilates, cycle, walking, do daily yoga, train with a personal trainer and so on. Just doing what one can is the key, everyone is different.

Maybe Bryan Nelson's aim was to not only report the findings of the test but also to kick butt people into the world of exercising. In the end it comes down to individual choice, it comes down to the value one puts on exercising.

The findings of the tests clearly reinforce why an average able person needs to exercise. It did for me.