Taiwan Study Ties Top Fitness Scores to 61% Lower Death Risk After Age 65
Updated
Updated · health.yahoo.com · Aug 18
Taiwan Study Ties Top Fitness Scores to 61% Lower Death Risk After Age 65
3 articles · Updated · health.yahoo.com · Aug 18
Summary
13,423 adults in Taiwan aged 65 and older who took standardized fitness tests showed progressively lower all-cause mortality over a median seven-year follow-up when they scored higher on physical fitness.
61% lower death risk was seen in the highest composite-fitness group versus the lowest, with the strongest links coming from balance and agility rather than flexibility alone.
59% lower mortality risk was tied to the 8-foot up-and-go test, while the 1-leg stance, 30-second chair stand and 2-minute step test were linked to reductions of 50%, 45% and 42%.
JAMA Network Open published the observational study, which measured fitness only once, meaning it shows association rather than proving that better test performance directly caused longer survival.
The findings broaden healthy-aging metrics beyond exercise volume, suggesting everyday abilities such as standing on one leg, rising from a chair and moving quickly may help flag resilience and independence in later life.