A Move You Should Do MONDAY – Floor Sit to Stand

This week’s move is a challenging one, but one that is worth working on. The floor sit to stand has been linked to longevity in people between the ages of 50-80. Here’s how to do it:

Start by sitting on the floor with your legs crossed
Stand up without using your hands
Give yourself five points for standing up and five points for sitting down
Take a point off for every time you use a hand, forearm, elbow or knee to get up off the floor

The test used in the study performed in 2012 by deBrito, et al, actually has you starting in the standing position with your legs crossed and then sitting down followed by standing up again. If it is difficult to do, try holding on to something or using a variation where you start in a side sitting position on the floor.

Why does this matter?

The ability to stand up from the floor has been linked to longevity. People between the ages of 50-80 who are able to do this maneuver were seen to live longer than their peers. And every additional point gained was seen to improve overall survival rate by 21%. The floor sit to stand is also an excellent test for lower extremity and core strength, flexibility and mobility.

So give it a try and if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. The effort will be worth it. Here’s to your long life!

Because nobody has time to be in pain.

Until next time…