Non-aerobic physical fitness, assessed through the Sitting–Rising Test (SRT), has emerged as a strong predictor of premature death. A prospective cohort study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology evaluated 4,282 adults aged 46–75 years who performed the SRT, scored from 0 to 10 based on supports used and steadiness, then stratified into five groups.

Over a median follow-up of 12.3 years (IQR 7.6–18.0), 665 deaths occurred (15.5%). Mortality increased stepwise with lower SRT scores: 3.7%, 7.0%, 11.1%, 20.4%, and 42.1% across the five score groups. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, and clinical variables, the lowest score group had a hazard ratio of 3.84 (95% CI 2.25–6.97) for natural mortality and 6.05 (95% CI 2.29–20.94) for cardiovascular mortality compared with the highest group.

The SRT integrates multiple domains of fitness, including strength, flexibility, balance, and body composition, and may provide valuable prognostic information. Incorporating SRT into clinical evaluations could help identify individuals at higher risk of premature death, guiding early interventions.