Over 60? These 4 Movements Predict How Long You’ll Live (ER Doctor Explains)

Four simple movement tests you can do at home in five minutes can predict your risk of dying within the next seven years. In this video, I show you exactly how to do all four, the scores that separate the top and bottom groups for aging men and women, and what’s happening in your body that makes each one such a strong predictor of healthy aging and survival. These tests come from a study published in JAMA Network Open in August 2026, which followed 13,423 adults aged 65 to 90 in Taiwan for about seven years. It shows a strong link between these movements and survival, not proof that improving your score adds years, though other research shows these abilities can be improved at any age. Welcome to Dr. Joanette MD Hi, I’m Dr. Joanette an ER doctor, Blue Zone native, and founder of Optimum Health MD. I blend decades of emergency medicine experience with modern longevity science to bring you practical, evidence-based insights that help you live stronger, longer. Everyone is welcome here. Dr. Joanette’s Bio I’m the founder of Optimum Health MD, dedicated to optimizing health and longevity. I graduated from New York Medical College in 1995 and am board-certified in Emergency Medicine. I’m licensed to practice in the states of California and New York. This channel is separate from my duties as attending medical staff at Saint John’s Riverside Hospital and as an assistant professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Lake Erie College of Medicine. The views expressed on this channel are my own. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Can you stand on one leg? 00:19 Why these tests predict lifespan 01:00 Test 1: Two-minute step test 02:57 Test 2: 30-second chair stand 05:09 Test 3: Standing on one leg 07:29 Test 4: Eight-foot up-and-go 09:08 How to improve your scores STUDIES REFERENCED: 1. Wu et al. 2026, JAMA Network Open (13,423 Taiwanese adults ages 65-90, 7-year follow-up) — top fifth in composite fitness had 61% lower mortality risk than bottom fifth 2. Mandsager et al. 2018, JAMA Network Open (Cleveland Clinic, 122,007 patients) — lowest fitness group had mortality risk comparable to smoking and diabetes 3. Araujo et al. 2022, British Journal of Sports Medicine (1,702 adults) — failing a 10-second one-leg stance was linked to 84% higher death risk 4. Tabara et al., Stroke (1,387 adults) — shorter one-leg balance times linked to silent brain infarcts, microbleeds, and lower cognitive scores 5. Studenski et al. 2011, JAMA (34,485 adults, pooled analysis) — each 0.1 m/s slower gait speed linked to 12-14% higher mortality risk 6. Pahor et al. 2014, JAMA (LIFE study, 1,635 adults aged 70-89) — structured activity cut major mobility disability risk by 18% 📌 If you want help figuring out where something like this actually fits into your own health picture, your labs, your goals, what's actually worth your money, that's the work we do at Optimum Health MD, the practice I founded. Thanks for joining me today, and I'll see you next time. DISCLAIMER: As a physician passionate about health education, I want to be clear that while I share evidence-based information, I am not your personal doctor and don't know your unique medical history. The recipes and wellness tips I provide are for educational purposes only. Before making any dietary or lifestyle changes based on my content, please consult with your healthcare provider, who understands your specific health needs and can offer personalized guidance. Your well-being matters, and I'm here to support your health journey alongside the care you receive from your medical team. #HealthyAging #Longevity #ERDoctor #FallPrevention #BalanceTraining #MobilityTest #Fitness #AgingWell #OptimumHealthMD #Mortality Don’t forget to subscribe for more health tips and recipes! @DrJoanette Website: https://optimumhealthmd.com/ Follow for More! TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjoanette LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoanetteweissemd