{
  "id": 2739197,
  "title": "Mobility tests can tell doctors a lot about how you're aging, but there are many other factors",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/23/mobility-tests-can-tell-doctors-a-lot-about-how-youre-aging-but-there",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-23T07:00:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260823/p2g/00m/0li/015000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hand grip strength, balance tests, and standing up from a seated position on the floor are often seen as indicators of healthy aging and longevity. These physical challenges can reveal valuable insights into an individual's stamina and strength, estimate the risk of falls—particularly relevant for older adults with an increased mortality risk—and assist doctors in addressing aging-related issues or injuries. Dr. Auriel Willette from Rutgers University explains that a poor or declining result should prompt a health professional to investigate the underlying cause rather than just assessing how long someone will live.\n\nThere are various types of mobility tests, each serving a unique purpose. The 30-second chair-stand test from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is intended for adults over 60 to gauge how many times they can stand up within that timeframe. Another popular test, inspired by social media, involves moving from standing to sitting cross-legged and then back up to standing, scoring a total of 10 points, with deductions for using supports or being unsteady. Scoring zero indicates an inability to sit or stand without external help.\n\nThe Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, commonly used by American doctors, requires patients to rise from a chair, walk 10 feet, and return to their seat. This test simultaneously evaluates balance, mobility, and lower extremity strength. Dr. George Hennawi, who specializes in treating older adults at MedStar Health in Baltimore, emphasizes that these tests aim to pinpoint specific weaknesses and identify their root causes, such as knee pain, slow reflexes, poor balance, or cardiovascular issues. He stresses that the crucial next step is understanding where you underperformed.\n\nIn addition to these tests, other measures of \"physiological age,\" or how your body is aging, include grip strength, walking speed, gait steadiness, and balance. These assessments help doctors determine a person's risk for frailty, a condition characterized by reduced ability to cope with illness or injury. The Short Physical Performance Battery, a 10-minute assessment created by the National Institute on Aging, incorporates several tests and has been shown to predict mortality, disability, and more. UCLA's Multidisciplinary Falls Clinic's Dr. David Lee stresses the importance of considering multiple tests together, as grip strength can be influenced by arthritis, stroke, or insufficient muscle conditioning.\n\nExperts emphasize that strength and mobility are merely part of the larger picture of healthy aging. Cognition, memory, hearing, vision, and numerous other factors must also be evaluated. They caution against training specifically to pass a test, instead encouraging a holistic approach to maintain overall health. Regular exercise, nutritious meals, stress management, adequate sleep, and cardiovascular care are all essential. Lastly, experts stress the importance of understanding the context in which a test has been studied and validated. While a mobility test may predict outcomes for one age group, its performance standards might not apply to others. If you score poorly in a mobility test and have concerns about fall risk or recent falls, consulting your doctor is crucial, as they can suggest assistive devices, physical therapy, medication adjustments, or other necessary interventions.",
  "summary": "(AP) -- Hand grip strength. Balance tests. Standing up from a seated position on the floor. These physical challenges are often touted as measurements",
  "key_points": [
    "Mobility tests like grip strength, balance, and seated-to-standing reveal aging insights.",
    "30-second chair-stand test gauges adults over 60's endurance and strength.",
    "Doctors use multiple tests to identify weaknesses and root causes, not just life expectancy."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Doctors' increasing use of mobility tests reveals a more nuanced understanding of healthy aging, highlighting the complex interplay between physical strength, stamina, and overall health that goes beyond just longevity.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}