You could be at risk of an early death if you can't complete simple test that you can try at home

We have all got our own paths in life, and none of us know when we will eventually run out of road - but experts believe that this simple test could give you a good idea.

A group of scientists at the Gama Filho University in Brazil carried out some research to find out how our musculoskeletal fitness indicators are linked to our mortality, which yielded some sobering results.

They wanted to determine whether their hunch that those who are a bit more limber than their peers would likely outlive them was right, due to there being 'scarce data' on the subject before the study, which was published in 2021.

So, they found 2,002 willing participants who were aged between 51 and 80 to take part in an experiment - and the beauty of it is, all of us lot can try it out for ourselves from the comfort of our own homes.

If you want to ruin your weekend by getting an estimation of your expiry date, that is.

It could give you an indication of whether you're at risk of a premature death (Getty Stock Photos)

But this straightforward test should only take a small chunk of time out of your day, which is a small price to pay to get an idea of how much life is left in the old dog yet.

Let me introduce you to the 'Sit Down, Stand Up' test, which is also known as the sitting-rising test - a name coined by fitness gurus and the like in wake of the study.

The rules of the test really are simple; as all you have to do is sit down and stand up again, without holding onto anything or using something to support yourself.

It is an evaluation of your mobility, after all.

The participants were all barefoot and wearing loose clothing.

Researchers instructed them to lower themselves to the floor before crossing their legs without using their hands, knees, elbows or side of their legs as an aid.

Following that, they were asked to get back onto their feet without any assistance, while each were awarded a score out of 10 for their ascension efforts.

All you have to do is sit down and stand back up unaided (Getty Stock Photos)

If any of the people taking part in the test did grasp for something to support them or slightly lose their balance, their points were docked.

Shockingly, the researchers discovered that those who struggled to complete the sitting-rising test are five times more likely to die young.

The findings of the study, which was conducted over a span of six years, were published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, and 159 deaths were recorded throughout this period.

Participants who really struggled to carry out the simple test were given a score of zero to three, and were considered 5.4 times more likely to kick the bucket prematurely, in comparison to those who found the experiment to be a doddle.

The scientists from Gama Filho University concluded that musculoskeletal fitness is a great indicator of someone's health and longevity, and losing mobility, flexibility and muscle can tank your wellbeing.

So, get those steps in, lads.