Flexibility Maintenance: Sit to Stand

This sit-to-stand exercise is used to assess leg strength in the older age population, with the results being tied to the extent of sarcopenia, the aging loss of muscle and strength (dynapenia).

Use a standard chair (with arms) that is positioned against a wall or a stable structure, so that your thighs, when seated, are parallel to the ground. From a seated position, fold your arms across your chest and stand up, then sit back down in the chair at a comfortable pace, five times.

It’s best to have a trained professional monitoring the process to prevent balance issues or even slight dizziness from the up and down movements. Avoid this exercise if you have any blood pressure issues, instability, or other such contraindications, unless you’ve cleared it with your primary physician.