Sitting–rising test scores predict natural and cardiovascular causes of deaths in middle-aged and older men and women

Abstract Aims In a previous study, the ability to sit and rise from the floor was associated with all-cause mortality. Now, we aim to assess whether sitting–rising test (SRT) scores also predict premature natural and cardiovascular (CV) deaths. This is a prospective cohort design study. Methods and results A total of 4282 adults aged 46–75 years (68% men) performed sitting and rising from the floor, which was scored from 0 to 5, with one point being subtracted from 5 for each support used (hand/knee) and 0.5 for an unsteadiness execution. The final SRT score was obtained by adding sitting and rising scores and stratified in five groups for analysis: 0–4, 4.5–7.5, 8, 8.5–9.5, and 10. During a median follow-up of 12.3 (interquartile range = 7.6–18.0) years, there were 665 deaths (15.5%). There was a continuous trend for higher mortality with low SRT scores (P < 0.001), with death rates of 3.7, 7.0, 11.1, 20.4, and 42.1%, respectively, for Groups 5 to 1 of SRT scores. The Cox multivariate-adjusted (age, sex, body mass index, and clinical variables) hazard ratios of 3.84 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.25–6.97] and 6.05 (95% CI 2.29–20.94) (P < 0.001) were observed, respectively, for natural and CV mortality, when comparing the highest and lowest SRT score groups. Conclusion Non-aerobic physical fitness, as assessed by SRT, was a significant predictor of natural and CV mortality in 46–75-year-old participants. Application of the SRT, a simple assessment tool that is influenced by muscular strength/power, flexibility, balance, and body composition, could add relevant clinical and prognostic information to routine examinations of healthy and unhealthy individuals.