3 Tests for Longevity: How Healthy Are You?

I read that study on grip strength when it first came out and the researchers stressed that training your grip was not helpful in prolonging your life. In other words, your grip strength is a measure of overall muscle strength and nervous system performance, so simply doing forearm curls and squeezing tennis balls, while giving you a grip of steel, will not improve your predictive longevity. If you have a weak grip, you would be better off engaging in an overall fitness routine that includes both resistance training and cardiovascular exercise and not simply focusing on your grip, that will improve naturally when you become healthier overall.

I probably would fail all 3 tests. I'm 91 years old and on my stationary bike an hour each day, I do arm and neck exercises in the first 15 minutes. My main aim is to exercise my heart.

Frmale, age 82. 68secs holding 11.5lbs. 37 secs BOLT, 90 secs static one-legged stand. 2 years ago I broke my hip and had a partial hip replacement. one year ago I slipped on ice hiking in the mountains and badly sprained hip abductors and tendons, just now recovered to 95% I have spondylolisthesis grade 1 anterior and posterior in lumbar, facet joint arthropathy and degenerated disks . My oxygen intake is 97 to 100, I'm never breathless doing exercises that my PT says leaves most people breathless. I had to stop BOLT test due to increasing pain in my spine standing with weight compressing it. I was very fit when I broke the hip (backpacked high elevation trails in the Sierra Nevada Mountains solo.) I've worked diligently to regain the fitness, landscaping my yard, doing PT exercises faithfully strengthening the entire core.

I passed all comfortably. And I have Parkinson’s. Thanks for the challenge. It’s all about feeling good about yourself, no matter what ever problems you have 😊

I am 100 years old and I was fine until about nine months ago still taking my dog out for walks twice a day when taking the rubbish out to the bin I had a fail I managed to crawl back in doors I later had another fail indoors since then I have suffered with back pain although while not gone completely this is much better as I have been using a TENs machine I now have to walk with a stick and I cannot walk far but with scooter i cope I have been unable to get any help from my GP if they cannot see it they do not believe it I have bought your book which I have found to be very helpful sorry to have gone like this but it helped to get it of my chest

I thought the whole time watching this… people should be working out every day so that they can pass all of these tests without a problem. It kind of reminds me of this old lady who couldn’t carry her groceries anymore so she started lifting weights. She discovered that she enjoyed working out so much that she started putting on muscle. Long story short, she became a competitive bodybuilder. I love that story, and after watching your video, I realized she probably added many more years to her life.

Will, these videos are fantastic and I’m so pleased to see the next generation of physios, really educating all of us in a simple manner. As a fellow physio over 60.. I say “Brilliant, keep it going!” Sean

Yay you cheered me up -- I'm 68 and regularly stand on one leg, each side for up to 2 minutes. Thanks for providing useful tests that we can check at home.

Was called too old at 50! Started training in crumbling garage lifting rocks doing PUSH UPS on paint cans pull UPS on beams got ripped af at 52 years old!!!

Your videos are always positive, full of things you can do to make life better.

I love your tips and recommendations and find them immensely helpful! Thank you.

Brilliant as usual. I’m 74 and only realised a few days ago I actually couldn’t close my hands properly into a grip. I’ve exercised them daily and now can’t tighten my fist normally. Todays advice on longevity is very revealing thank you Will. As usual you are a delight to listen to. Well done. Patricia

My longevity increase watching you 😍

Years ago someone told me that two things determine your lifespan....genetics and luck. I'm inclined to believe him.

Excellent, thank you very much ! Now I'm able to test myself and get more motivated to exercise !

As a lifelong asthma sufferer, anything to do with oxygen scarcity is going to be stressful. I could not have passed holding my breath for 5 seconds even as a child. I’ve been working for several years on square breathing and 4 seconds on the exhale hold was a real accomplishment. Sometimes I can get to 6 seconds. On the other hand, my morning starts with a climb of 7 flights of steps straight up a mountain to walk my granddaughter to kindergarten.

Super informational and helpful! This is such a great video! Thanks for this.

I am a 71.5 years old female , live in South Africa and regularly hike in the Drakensberg . 4 minutes per arm holding 9 lb leg weights. Bolt nearly 40 seconds , not very happy with that have to work on it. And 4 minutes per leg ( one -legged stand). Thank you very much for the good tips Doctor.

Thank you!

❤ Dr. You are good knowledgeable personality. Well and soft spoken handsome man. I am 78 from India. In September 2023 i had bypass surgery. But today I am practicing for my masters diving championships at world class level. ❤Mind is the only barrier. Philosophically speaking I have only body and no mind at all ❤❤