Ageing well is a multifaceted process, and while we often associate it with physical health, there are some surprising indicators that reveal our body's overall well-being. Here are some of the weirdest signs that you're ageing well, backed by expert insights and research.
Can You Put a Sock On While Standing Up?
It might seem like a simple task, but being able to put on a sock while standing up is actually a testament to your physical prowess. This seemingly mundane activity requires the seamless integration of information from various sensory systems: visual, vestibular, and somatosensory. It's a complex feat that ensures your body's centre of mass remains stable over your foot, while also coordinating the movement of your limbs.
Research has shown that poor one-leg balance is a significant risk factor for falls and increased mortality. A 2022 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that individuals who couldn't stand on one leg for at least 10 seconds were 84% more likely to die from any cause over a 7-year period. This highlights the importance of balance as we age, allowing us to navigate our environment safely and respond to everyday challenges.
Can You Hold a Deep, Flat-Footed Squat?
Holding a deep squat isn't a prerequisite for good ageing, but it's a strong indicator of functional capacity. It reflects your hip and ankle mobility, as well as the strength of your posterior chain. While anatomy plays a role, being able to perform this exercise safely is crucial for everyday activities like getting out of a chair or negotiating stairs.
Regular resistance training, combined with staying physically active, is key to preserving these abilities as we age. According to Associate Professor Kim van Schooten, strength and balance training, along with practising the movement itself in a safe and supported way, can help build physical ability and confidence.
Can You Get Up From the Floor Without Your Hands?
This seemingly complex movement requires a combination of strength, balance, coordination, joint range of motion, and power. It's a crucial component of healthy ageing, supporting independence and allowing us to continue doing the activities that matter to us, like playing with young family members on the ground.
Research highlights the safety aspect of this ability. About half of older people who fall are unable to get up without assistance, and spending a long time on the floor can lead to serious complications, including dehydration, pressure injuries, and muscle damage. Regular strength and balance training, along with practising the movement in a safe and supported way, can help build physical ability and confidence.
Pass Gas Regularly?
Passing gas multiple times a day is often a sign of a healthy gut microbiome. Dr Joanna McMillan estimates that the average person passes gas 13 to 21 times a day, and it's primarily due to the fermentation of fibre by gut bacteria. Maintaining good gut health is crucial, and it's not just about intense physical activity.
A 2024 study found that 'high light' physical activity like gardening was linked with faster colonic transit. Experts recommend a 10-minute walk after meals, as it encourages digestion and contributes to the kind of cumulative, low to moderate activity that keeps your bowels moving well.
Sweat Early When You Exercise?
Never let anyone shame you for perspiring soon after you begin a workout! An efficient, well-timed sweat response is a strong indication that your thermoregulation is in good nick. In someone who's fit, the sweat response switches on at a lower rise in core temperature, allowing the body to anticipate the heat load.
This earlier, more sensitive onset is the mark of a well-trained cooling system, not a fault. Sweating and flushing during exercise are visible signs of your autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular system working, and we lose that capacity as we age. Regular aerobic exercise and deliberate heat exposure can encourage healthy thermoregulation.
Have a Firm Grip?
Grip strength is a powerful indicator of overall health and musculoskeletal strength. If your grip is weaker than expected, it should prompt you to look more broadly at your physical fitness and muscle health, rather than focusing on your hands alone.
A 2015 study of 139,691 adults from 17 countries found that grip strength was a better predictor of premature death than other factors like blood pressure. Grip strength improves when you improve your overall strength, especially through movements requiring gripping, such as carrying heavy shopping bags or performing deadlifts and pull-ups.
In conclusion, these seemingly weird signs of ageing well reveal the intricate interplay between our physical abilities and overall health. By paying attention to these indicators and adopting a holistic approach to fitness and well-being, we can embrace the journey of growing older with grace and vitality.
