A 30-second test can forecast the risk of early death. The sit-to-stand power is a reliable health indicator.

This test measures how many times you can rise and lower yourself from a chair in 30 seconds. Those who did it fewer times had a higher risk of dying.

The study monitored 1,876 adults aged 65 and above. They did a 30-second sit-to-stand test using a chair and a stopwatch.

The test results were converted into a power measurement. Those with poor sit-to-stand power had a higher risk of dying.

The test measured how many times people could stand up and sit back down from a chair.

Women with low scores were twice as likely to die. Men had a 57% higher risk. The study used threshold scores to separate participants into two groups.

More than half of the participants had low sit-to-stand power. This is a common issue affecting many adults aged 65 and over.

Low power was linked to a difference in bone fracture risk between men and women. Women had a higher risk of hip fractures.

Women with low power were 3.25 times more likely to have had a hip fracture. Men with low power had a higher risk of falls and fractures.

The study found that hormonal changes in women after menopause made their hip area more vulnerable to fractures.

The study authors concluded that low sit-to-stand power was associated with hip fractures in women and falls in men.

Another study tested how easily people could stand from sitting on the floor.

This is not the first time the ability to stand from sitting has been tested as a predictor of healthy ageing.

A Brazilian study found that people who had to use hands and knees to get up and down were more likely to die within six years.

The test measured musculoskeletal fitness. The NHS recommends strength and flexibility exercises to improve muscle strength and balance.

The NHS advises doing these exercises at least twice a week to increase muscle strength and reduce joint pain.

The health body also recommends 150 minutes of cardio exercise a week.