Do this and project your longevity
People used to say you could learn about someone’s character by the firmness of a handshake.
Now, research tells us that grip strength can also be an indicator of how long you might live.
And it’s not the only everyday way to get a glimpse into longevity. Studies also say we can learn about our future health by measuring:
• Pushups
• Standing up from sitting on the floor
• Walking speed
First, Grip Strength
Grip strength is a “reliable measurement of overall health,” says WebMD, “even as an indicator of the potential health of you heart and blood vessels.”
It can tell doctors about muscular endurance, power and bone health, and about all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. “As surprising as it may be, research shows a link between grip strength and how well and long you may live.”
Weak hands can mean weakness throughout the body, which indicates poor cardiovascular health – which are all major reasons why you should be exercising regularly.
A separate review of studies showed that for people over 60, grip strength can predict “decline in cognition, mobility, functional status and mortality.”
How Many Push-ups Can You Do?
The answer could be helpful to keeping your heart healthy, according to a study by Harvard and other institutions published by the American Medical Association.
The researchers studied the health of hundreds of men over several years. They didn't set out to examine push-ups. But the data revealed that men who could complete 11 or more went on to have lower risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems later in life.
Men who could do 40 push-ups were 96% less likely to develop problems than those who couldn't manage more than 10.
Now, before we put too much weight behind any single study or specific point, it’s worth noting other predictors of longevity – especially now, when the topic is so hot. Everyone wants to not only live longer, but also better.
These all come together to make an undeniable case: If you’re physically capable of performing common tasks as you age, then you’re likely to enjoy a longer, better life.
