Key Takeaways
- Simple everyday movements, such as standing up from a chair or rising from the floor, require a combination of balance, mobility, core strength, and physical coordination.
- According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the primary cause of injury and injury-related death among adults aged 65 and older in the United States.
- Research suggests that the ability to transition between the floor and a standing position without support is linked to long-term health and survival.
What the Source Says
Ordinary body movements can reveal functional health abilities that standard workouts might miss. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that more than one in four adults aged 65 and older in the United States report falling annually. Because standing up from a seated position requires a stable base, joint flexibility in the ankles and hips, core and lower body strength, and steady balance, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention incorporates a 30-second chair stand into its fall-risk assessment.
Additionally, a 2025 study of more than 4,000 adults between 46 and 75 years old evaluated participants using a ten-point sitting-rising test. Points were awarded for sitting and rising from the floor, with deductions applied for unsteadiness or relying on hands, knees, forearms, or legs for support. Over a median follow-up period of 12.3 years, research suggests that individuals scoring between zero and four faced nearly four times the risk of dying from natural causes and roughly six times the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who earned a perfect score of ten.
Practical Notes
The source indicates that moving between the floor and standing is a skill that adults can actively practice. Suggested movement options include:
- Chair Stands: Sitting near the front of a sturdy chair and standing up without using hand support if safe, performing 5 to 10 controlled repetitions. Countertops or chair backs can be held for assistance if needed.
- Supported Floor Transitions: Using a sturdy chair for balance while stepping into a kneeling lunge, lowering to hands and knees, and shifting to a seated position on the floor, then reversing the movement for 3 to 5 repetitions per side.
- Cross-Legged Floor Rises: Standing up from a cross-legged position on the floor without using hands, practicing 3 to 10 repetitions, with optional support from resistance bands or floor cushions.
If specific individual training schedules are not specified in the source; please check the official notice.
Before starting any new exercise routine, you should talk to your doctor.
Source: healthy aging exercise older adults - BingNews · Published October 20, 2026 · Photo by Jane Sundried on Unsplash
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before making health decisions.