Good hip mobility, as evaluated by tests such as the deep squat, single-leg balance, and the 'sit-to-stand' test (without using hands), is essential for health and could predict longevity.

noli's read

The link between motor skills and mortality is not an invention; a well-known observational study published in the 'European Journal of Preventive Cardiology' (the SRT or Sitting-Rising Test) has effectively shown that a low ability to get up from the floor without assistance is associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality. However, it is crucial to note that this is a correlation and not a direct causation: difficulty performing these movements is often a reflection of a loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) or a decline in overall physical condition, rather than the problem itself. The tests proposed by Kelly Starrett are excellent wellness tools for identifying areas of stiffness or functional weakness in daily life. The claim that these tests 'predict' lifespan is therefore technically exaggerated, as it transforms an indicator of physical fitness into a deterministic predictive diagnostic tool. These movements remain very useful markers for encouraging the maintenance of physical function, a fundamental pillar of healthy aging.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.