Forget the gym: A 30-second test may be one of the best indicators of longevity

As more Americans prioritize staying mobile and independent as they age, experts are pointing to a surprisingly simple measure of health . The number of times a person can rise from a chair in 30 seconds can be an indicator of lower-body strength, which is closely linked to mobility, functional fitness and healthy aging . Interest in the test appears to be growing, with online searches for "sit to stand exercise" up 287% over the past three months, according to Google Trends analysis. JANE SEYMO