Movement Vital Signs
What do you think of when you think Vital Signs ? Heart Rate ? Yes! Blood Pressure? Yes – of course! What about your MOVEMENT VITAL SIGNS?
HOW YOU MOVE is also a vital sign itself!
Researchers note that moving properly is important for overall health and can often predict future health risk. So – what are some of these Movement Vital Sign numbers you ask? Well here they are!
What are these Movement Vital Signs?
Walking Speed
What is it: Also known as the 6th Vital sign. Easy to measure, and encompasses Strength, Balance, Coordination, Confidence, Cardiovascular Fitness, Tolerance to Activity, and others.
How to measure: Just walk at your normal pace and time yourself How fast do you normally walk?
What the Research says: Can predict risk of future hospitalizations, functional decline, and overall mortality.
What to look for: ~ 5-7 seconds for a 4 meter walk : 1.2 to 1.4 meters/ second is considered normal
Push Ups
What is it: Push Ups are popular exercises to build strength.
How to measure: Lie on the floor facing down flat Keep hands to the side facing down and push up with your arms at the side. How many consecutive push-ups can you do?
What to look for: If you can do more than 40 consecutive push-ups – great ! If you do cannot complete 10 consecutive push-ups – talk to us!
What the Research says: Men who could do 40 or more consecutive push-ups had a 96% lower risk for cardiovascular disease than were men who could do less than 10.
Standing From the Floor
What is it: Asking you to sit down and then stand up from the floor
How to measure: Go from standing to sitting on the floor and back up with as little support as needed
What to look for: If you cannot easily get down on the floor and back up or use more than 1 hand – talk to us!
What the Research says: People who needed to use more than 1 hand to get up and down from the floor had 2- 5 times greater mortality rates in the following 7 years than those who did it with just 1 hand, or even better, no hands at all.
Clearly, there are many other tests that are Movement Vital Signs, but the above tests are a good starting point!
If you’re having trouble with any of them, consider seeing your Physical Therapist at Orthocare Physical Therapy Center!
We will take a 1-on-1 approach and create an individualized plan to address your movement concerns in a caring and affectionate manner.
Call us today at 703-310-7610 or contact us to schedule your appointment.
References
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2724778
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/644554
- https://academic.oup.com/eurjpc/article/21/7/892/5925784?login=false
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2247402/Can-floor-using-hands-If-heading-early-grave.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28549705
