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1. Standing up from a chair without using your hands
When a person needs to push off with their hands, it’s often a sign of weakness in the thigh and hip muscles. Over the years, if these muscles aren’t stimulated, they lose mass and power. The problem is that many people get used to using their hands and stop challenging their legs, which accelerates the loss.
Preserving this ability means you still have a solid foundation for walking, climbing stairs, and reacting to a stumble.
Walking backward isn’t something we usually do—and that’s exactly why it’s so revealing. This movement demands attention, balance, coordination, and good communication between the brain and the body.
Those who can do it steadily tend to have a lower risk of falls. It also reflects good cognitive function, since the brain must actively and continuously process spatial information.
3. Bending forward and touching your toes without bending your knees
Excessive stiffness usually develops after years of limited movement and lack of stretching. When flexibility is preserved, the body moves with less effort, there’s less lower-back pain, and a lower risk of injury.