Sit Down, Stand Up Test
for Early Risk of Death
Written by Sky Taylor, Diet Bites
The Sit Down, Stand Up Test Increases Risk of Significant Injury
This test was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology and also in the most recent AARP Magazine. We have written to AARP warning them of the potential risks associated with this test.
Due to our personal experience using this test, we wanted to warn our readers that you should NOT perform it unless under the direction of your professional healthcare giver.
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Most would more likely than not point out the high risk of injury to the body when performing this test. For the inactive person, the risks are even higher for injury.
In addition, the results of the test are HUGELY misleading and skewed in our opinion. More on this later in this health article.
Our Personal Experience with The Sit Down, Stand Up Test
This is what happened to my husband, several months ago. He saw the Sit Down, Stand Up test online - decided he would try it - and take note that there are no warnings posted in regards to potential damage that this test can cause to the body.
He has hurt and suffered the results of injury for months now due to the damage the test caused on his body. Daily, he has chastised himself for taking the test. Let me point out that he is an avid, fit hiker in his fifties. He is very active and has no other health ills at this writing.
What is The Sit Down, Stand Up Test?
The Sit Down, Stand Up test is targeted to individuals ages 51 through 80. There are diagrams which depict the sitting stance which we have chosen not to show here, least someone decide to try the test. Every time that a participant uses a hand, forearm or knee for support when performing the test, points are deducted. The maximum score is 10 points. One point higher is associated, according to the test, with a 21% lower mortality.
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In Diet Bites opinion, we feel the more accurate claim would be: "Anyone performing this test has a 21% or higher risk for injury."
In addition, we would feel secure in saying that there are many individuals who are in their 30's, 40's and perhaps even in their 20's who could not perform this test, yet who will live to a ripe old age.
Risk for Death Test - The Sit Down, Stand Up Test
In order for physical endurance tests to be valid - as well as their conclusions, people must be of the same age. In this test, all of the numbers appear to have been melded together.
Come now - let us reason together; use your logic. Age itself increases risk for death. The 80 year old individual is highly more likely to die than the 51 year old! Even without taking this test, the odds are against those older individuals.
In addition, were participants all of the same or close to the same weight? What about height? Activity levels? What about current ailments? Did they have prior history of knee or hip pain or injury?
But regardless - it doesn't matter, does it? Because those older individuals are at a NATURAL risk of increase for death.
What should you do if you see this test OR if you try this test and experience injury?
See your doctor for care and advice - and discuss concerns about your longevity OR the level of your physical endurance. Don't allow useless fodder to cloud your thoughts or skew your logic.
Older Individuals, The Activity Factor & Its Impact on The Sit Down, Stand Up Test
Many individuals who are 51 to age 80 aren't involved in daily activity at a moderate level. They lead a sedate lifestyle. Current activity recommendations are often so aggressive that many may not exercise because these recommendations are too strict.
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And if any of those individuals were asked to participate in this test - almost all would fail.
In addition, the results are skewed because the test incorporates ages 51-80 - not simply age 'X'. Again, logic tells us that those who are at the higher end of the age bracket are going to NATURALLY have a higher risk of death.
To example this, let's assume that we are giving a physical endurance test. The majority of individuals who are in their fifties make a 100 on the endurance test. Some individuals in this group make 75 while others make an 80.
That will NATURALLY bring down the results somewhat - so let's assume that as an average the score for the fifty-year old bracket was 90 for endurance testing.
Let's move to the eighty year old bracket. Most of these individuals failed the test of endurance - because as we age, we naturally decrease in physical endurance. Let's assume the average grade was 20. When we add 20 to 90 we get 110 and when we divide that by 2 we get the failing grade of 55.
Using this example we can easily see how the failing grades quickly bring down the ratio - and using our logic we can also determine that the older the body, the higher the risk of death.
Hype, Shock, Awe Rather Than Truth - Skewed Test Results & Claims
These types of endurance tests have been popping up for years now - and the more shock and awe that they create, the higher number in the reader audience.
Diet Bites isn't a supporter of shock and awe information. Neither are many of the valid scientific journals who have recently condemned these shock and awe tactics used by many media outlets rather than placing the focus on issues which would improve health.
Basically, the publications of these tests collect as much hooey as possible so they will have sufficient content to sell to their readers.
This practice is doing a huge injustice to the greater public - and many of these claims and physical tests are causing more harm, more alarm to people than helping them.
In the end, most individuals will rush to their doctors who will then have the job of calming down their patient. When we think our body is at a higher risk for death, alarm is generally the reaction because the vast majority of individuals are frightened of dying. It's the unknown - and when we base our risk of death on silly, uncontrolled tests and studies, it's a caldron of false information being fed to the greater public.
In Summary
Diet Bites is warning their readers NOT to attempt to perform the Sit Down, Stand Up test. We feel that it poses great harm to the body and have personally experienced such harm due to my husband's physical injury.
In the AARP article that we saw, we didn't see a warning of any sort - stating that performing this test could cause damage or harm to the body - such as a pulled tendon or muscle or even back and leg injuries which could be serious.
If you cannot resist, take the test to your doctor - ask them about performing the test. Be sure to tell them if you are active or inactive at that time. Let them monitor you as you perform the test - but we highly doubt that a qualified practicing doctor would allow such.
And oh - keep in mind that one of the people behind this test has a PhD. Also keep in mind that having a PhD doesn't mean that you're a medical doctor.
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