DR AMIR KHAN SHARES FIVE HEALTH TESTS TO MEASURE AGEING

Doctor Amir Khan has identified five tests that indicate how well a person is ageing, according to videos posted to his Instagram account. The tests measure physical capability rather than appearance, Khan said. He stated: "I don't really care about your wrinkles or what you look like — I care about what your body feels like." Khan, known for appearances on ITV, said the five indicators reveal more about wellbeing than visual signs of ageing.

Khan described grip strength as "one of the strongest predictors" of healthy ageing. He said people with stronger grip strength tend to remain independent longer and face lower risk of frailty and premature death. The four other tests Khan identified are walking speed, which he characterised as a "full body MOT" reflecting the health of muscles, heart, lungs and brain; ability to rise from the floor without using hands, which requires strength, balance, flexibility and coordination; waist size, which Khan linked to risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and fatty liver disease; and resting heart rate, with most adults ranging between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Khan advised against neglecting strength training.

Research supports Khan's recommendations. One study published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2018 found that higher grip strength and knee strength were associated with longer lifespan. The study authors concluded that muscular strength tests can identify people at increased risk of mortality and can be performed easily in routine assessment.