Overview

• The sitting-rising test evaluates non-aerobic fitness by scoring how smoothly a person sits down and rises from the floor without using hands, knees or other support
• In a 12-year follow-up of 4,282 adults aged 46–75 published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, lower scores were linked to significantly higher death rates from heart disease and other natural causes
• Participants who earned perfect scores showed the highest survival, whereas those losing two points had just over 90% survival and individuals scoring between 0 and 4 saw under 50% survival at follow-up
• Experts say weight training, balance drills and flexibility exercises can improve sit-to-rise performance and may help reduce cardiovascular risk
• The test’s simplicity makes it a practical screening tool for clinicians and individuals to uncover hidden fitness deficits and prompt preventive health measures