Predictive value of push-ups and grip strength for overall health

mlbish624

I thought you guys would find this interesting. An article discussing findings that the ability to do push-ups, grip strength, and walking speed are actually better predictors of health and life expectancy than measures such as BMI. It's an Atlantic article, not a peer-reviewed journal article, but there are links to their sources in the article. Just an interesting point of view.

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/06/push-ups-body-weight-bmi/592834/

hixa30

I'm not convinced. I'd choose bank balance. Wealthier people live longer.

wmweeza

I've heard the same thing but another physical test: The ability to sit down cross legged and stand up without using your arms at all. I think all of these stress keeping strong and balanced as you age

lynn_glenmont

wmweeza wrote: »

I've heard the same thing but another physical test: The ability to sit down cross legged and stand up without using your arms at all. I think all of these stress keeping strong and balanced as you age

Not just as you age, per studies cited in the article (depending on what you mean by "as you age"). A number referred to the higher predictive value of these low-cost assessment tools (compared to blood panels, treadmill, or even BP assessments) for cardiovascular issues, cancer, and overall mortality. And then there was this one.

Even more impressive, grip strength had good predictive ability in a study among 18-year-olds in the Swedish military on cardiovascular death 25 years later.