Research Paper Title

Physical Capability in Mid-life and Survival Over 13 years of Follow-up: British Birth Cohort Study.

Study Question

Are objective measures of physical capability in mid-life associated with all cause mortality?

Summary Answer

Standing balance time, chair rise speed, and grip strength at the age of 53 are associated with all cause morality rates over 13 years of follow-up.

What is Known and What This Paper Adds

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have provided evidence of associations between better performance in objective tests of physical capability and lower all cause morality rates in older people living in the community. This study shows that, even in mid-life, objective assessment of physical capability can identify those people less likely to achieve a long and healthy life.

Reference

Cooper, R., Strand, B.H., Hardy, R., Patel, K.V. & Kuh, D. (2014) Physical Capability in Mid-life and Survival Over 13 years of Follow-up: British Birth Cohort Study. British Medical Journal. BMJ 2014;348:g2219.