{"id":252911,"date":"2025-10-31T19:08:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T19:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/252911\/"},"modified":"2025-10-31T19:08:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-31T19:08:09","slug":"this-viral-trend-claims-it-can-tell-your-biological-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/252911\/","title":{"rendered":"This Viral Trend Claims It Can Tell Your Biological Age"},"content":{"rendered":"

The internet is rife with one-off challenges that are said to mean big things about your health, whether it\u2019s a blanket statement that \u201call women should be able to do 11 push-ups<\/a>\u201d or a challenge known as the \u201cold man test<\/a>\u201d that claims to measure whether your body is \u201cold.\u201d <\/p>\n

The latest trend is a recent social media challenge that has people measuring their biological age based on their ability to jump off the ground.<\/p>\n

The challenge looks like this<\/a>: You start by kneeling on the ground and then use your strength to jump from a kneeling position to your feet.<\/p>\n

Even Derek Jeter<\/a> got in on the challenge (and the former New York Yankees star completed it successfully, of course). On social media, videos of this fitness challenge are generally accompanied by text that reads \u201cthey say if you can jump from your knees to your feet your biological age is < 30.\u201d<\/p>\n

But experts told HuffPost this isn\u2019t actually a measure of biological age.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you go to the true definition of biological age, that\u2019s going to be more dependent on things like genetics, DNA, your biological markers [and] what makes up your cells and your body,\u201d said Dr. Larry Balle<\/a>, a sports medicine physician at Houston Methodist Hospital.<\/p>\n

Lifestyle choices also play a role in biological age, he added, including smoking, food choices and exercise habits. For example, if you don\u2019t exercise, it can increase your biological age, but if you are a dedicated gym-goer, it could decrease that age.<\/p>\n

There are also things beyond your control that impact biological age such as diseases and comorbidities, Balle said.<\/p>\n

But one thing that won\u2019t actually tell you much about your biological age?<\/p>\n

\u201cThis viral jump test is not a valid measure of an individual\u2019s fitness nor biological age,\u201d said Ben Yamuder<\/a>, an exercise physiologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.<\/p>\n

Balle added that this challenge doesn\u2019t necessarily fit in with any markers of biological age. Here\u2019s what to know:<\/p>\n

\"DerekDerek Jeter posted a video on social media where he attempted this jump “biological age” challenge.<\/p>\n

Being able (or unable) to jump to your feet from a kneeling position doesn\u2019t say much about your biological age, but could speak to fitness ability in some cases.<\/p>\n

James McMillian<\/a>, the president of Tone House, a strength and conditioning gym in New York, agreed that this challenge isn\u2019t a measure of biological age. Instead, it\u2019s a peek into your fitness capability.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe jump test is more of a cool look at your coordination, balance, mobility and explosive strength, all qualities that can decline with age, but are also heavily influenced by training history, body composition and injury status,\u201d McMillian said.<\/p>\n

Balle noted: \u201cI think what it does show is you have to have a significant amount of flexibility for one to be able to be put in that position, and then core and hip strength.\u201d <\/p>\n

It may be easier for a teenager or 20-something to complete this challenge, even if they\u2019re not conditioned, Balle said. But McMillian noted that someone in their 40s, 50s or 60s who regularly trains could \u201ceasily outperform an untrained 25-year-old.\u201d<\/p>\n

Izzi Lynn<\/a>, an instructor at Barry\u2019s in New York City, said if someone can do this kneeling challenge, \u201dI can safely assume you have a high level of fitness and body control.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, that doesn\u2019t mean that all in-shape people will be able to do this. \u201cIt\u2019s totally possible you\u2019re strong and fit and are unable to do it, too,\u201d Lynn added. So don\u2019t feel bad if you work out regularly but can\u2019t jump from your knees to your feet.<\/p>\n

There are other ways to measure your fitness.<\/p>\n

While you certainly can try this challenge, it may not be a good idea for everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would also not recommend anyone attempt this jump if they have not participated in intense and consistent resistance training for several years,\u201d said Yamuder.<\/p>\n

Balle stressed that people often end up with injuries when they try out these social media fitness tests. <\/p>\n

There are other, safer fitness challenges you can try out instead. Running a mile in 12 to 15 minutes is a good measure of health, as is working toward doing functional movements such as pull-ups, push-ups or air squats.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s some simple movement compared to a more compound, riskier movement in that kneeled position to a squat,\u201d Balle noted.<\/p>\n

Things like balance tests, grip strength, resting heart rate and recovery metrics like heart rate variability also offer a more useful peek into health, McMillian said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese show cardiovascular capacity, muscular endurance and nervous system efficiency \u2014 things that collectively tell you more about how your body is aging,\u201d McMillian added.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t feel discouraged if you can\u2019t do this. It doesn\u2019t mean your biological age is over 30.<\/p>\n

When asked if everyone should be able to do this, McMillian said no. \u201cThe ability to do it depends on hip mobility, ankle stiffness, coordination and lower body power,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople with knee, hip or back injuries, or those who haven\u2019t trained in plyometrics, shouldn\u2019t expect to land it,\u201d McMillian said.<\/p>\n

For someone who lacks coordination, this movement is going to be challenging, and even dangerous, Lynn added and \u201cmay not actually reflect your level of physical fitness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis test is hard and I would not use it to define someone being fit. That said, it\u2019s a great party trick to whip out,\u201d Lynn noted.<\/p>\n

Instead of focusing on one-off fitness tests, experts say you should take a more holistic look at your health and fitness. <\/p>\n

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Thank you again for your support along the way. We\u2019re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever. We hope you will join us once again<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s healthy to approach any fad like this test with a bit of skepticism,\u201d said Lynn. \u201cFor the average person, a good measure of general fitness is eating a well-balanced diet full of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, limiting alcohol<\/a> and tobacco use, and getting movement in daily.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m much more concerned with my clients moving hourly than being able to go from kneeling to standing in one jump,\u201d Lynn noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat matters more is whether your body can move efficiently and pain free, not whether you can mimic a social media challenge,\u201d McMillian said.<\/p>\n