Lower-Body Strength Is Linked To Brain Health: Try This MD’s Test To Check Yours
A simple way to check in with your lower-body strength.
JimMin
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
mbg Nutrition & Health Writer
mbg Nutrition & Health Writer
Abby Moore is an editorial operations manager at mindbodygreen. She earned a B.A. in Journalism from The University of Texas at Austin and has previously written for Tribeza magazine.
Image by ljubaphoto / istock January 24, 2025 Sitting all day, undoubtedly and unsurprisingly, has its negative side effects. Stiffness in the neck and shoulders and back and hip pain are just a few obvious consequences, but apparently neglecting low-body strength can also interfere with healthy aging. 
The link between lower-body strength and longevity
One study, published in the Journal of Aging Health, looked at the muscle mass and strength1 of 1,280 adults who were 55 and older. They found leg strength to be one of the biggest predictors of physical ability later in life, regardless of age or gender.
So, all-in-all, "Lower-body strength is such a huge marker for health," Shah tells mbg. So, how do you know if yours is on track?
How to test your lower-body strength
In the TikTok, Shah demonstrates a quick sit-stand test to check your lower-body strength function, and yes, it's as simple as it sounds:
As for ways to increase leg strength, "Walking, doing lunges and squats, and taking frequent breaks from sitting are my best recs," Shah says.
.jpg&h=630&w=1200&q=100&v=5f99a4b43f&c=1)
