ACTIVATE YOUR AGE
MOVEMENT-BASED LONGEVITY TESTING
Longevity testing is all about learning how to live a longer, stronger, and healthier life. But not all longevity tests are the same.
Some longevity testing is based on blood tests that tell you about your body on the inside. This can be vital information, but it's only one side of the coin.
Longevity Testing at the Movement Performance Institute is different. Our Activate Your Age test measures how your body moves and performs on the outside — physical factors that predict functional independence and lifespan.
THE MPI WAY
Our test uses a science-driven, movement-based series of strength, mobility, balance, and reaction-time assessments designed to help you move better, live stronger, and age with confidence. Grounded in decades of clinical research and biomechanical expertise, this innovative evaluation identifies the key physical factors that influence long-term health, resilience, and independence.
In just two hours, you'll understand where you stand compared to others your age and gain personalized insight into what areas matter most for reducing fall risk, improving daily living, and extending your healthspan so you can continue doing the things you love for years to come.
THE SIX ASSESSMENTS
During your longevity test, you will be evaluated in the six fundamental areas of human ability in order to gain more holistic insight into your current fitness condition. They are:
Balance
Balance affects nearly everything we do in life, from standing, bending, walking, and reaching. Poor balance is one of the leading causes of falls in adults over 65 — and falls are the #1 cause of injury-related death in that age group. Measuring and improving it is one of the highest-impact things you can do for long-term independence
Gait
Gait is a fancy word for the way we walk, and it's affected by everything from genetics to injury history to current muscular function. Research consistently shows that gait speed below 0.8 meters per second is a clinical warning sign for future hospitalization, cognitive decline, and early mortality — making it one of the most powerful longevity predictors we can measure.
Strength
Strength is more than just lifting weights. Our muscles hold up our bodies and allow us to move through space — and they decline at roughly 3–8% per decade after age 30, accelerating after 60. Low muscle mass (sarcopenia) is independently associated with increased mortality risk, but the decline can be significantly slowed with targeted training.
Cardio Capacity
Cardio capacity — measured as VO2max — is the single strongest predictor of all-cause mortality in otherwise healthy adults. Research shows that each 1-MET improvement in fitness is associated with a 10–13% reduction in mortality risk. You don't need to be a runner to benefit; even modest improvements from a low baseline produce dramatic longevity gains.
Body Composition
The key to a long and healthy life is more than just a number on a scale. What matters is the ratio of muscle to fat — and specifically, low muscle mass relative to body weight (low ALMI) is strongly associated with metabolic disease, frailty, and reduced lifespan in older adults. Tracking it over time gives you a far more actionable picture than weight alone.
Reaction Time
How fast we react to stimuli is one of the strongest predictors of cognitive aging and fall risk. Slower reaction time in midlife has been linked in large population studies to higher dementia risk decades later. Establishing a baseline now gives us a target to train toward — and a way to track whether your brain is staying sharp over time.
What is the test like?
During your two-hour session, we will assess your abilities through several different testing protocols. All are non-invasive and are closely monitored to ensure they are pain-free and appropriately challenging for your fitness and mobility level. You will have plenty of time to rest and re-hydrate if necessary between tests.
Our movement tests involve short (~30s) bouts of walking on a state-of-the-art h/p/cosmos treadmill utilizing Zebris software to analyze gait and balance.
Body composition measurements are made using a painless, electrical InBody device. Please inform us if you have an electrical device implant like a pacemaker or an LVAD.
To measure reaction time, you will be asked to perform an upper-body reaction test on our SmartFit wall while standing as well as a similar test that involves stepping from one foot to another using Blaze Pods.
The strength portion of our tests involve isometric exercise of the hips, glutes, and quadriceps, performed in both seated and prone positions using our top-end HUMAC NORM extremity testing system.
Cardio capacity is evaluated by progressing from a walk to a jog on a treadmill for about 5-10 minutes, and your oxygen/CO2 levels are analyzed via a lab-grade Parvomedics VO2Max device. You will be monitored at all times and will not be pushed to exert more effort than you are comfortable with.
What happens after the test?
At the end of your two-hour assessment, you will receive a comprehensive report of your performance in each of the six tested areas, along with recommendations for improvement. The report includes a "longevity age" based on your overall score, showing you exactly how you compare to others like you - and allowing you to track your progress over time.
Your assessment also includes a free sit-down with our NASM-certified Senior Fitness Specialist to review the findings. The specialist will answer your questions and outline a training roadmap based on your assessment, which you may then use on your own or by arranging personal training with Stepp Up Fitness.
Location and Facility
All longevity testing is performed in-house at the Movement Performance Institute in El Segundo, CA (just minutes from LAX and the greater Los Angeles area). Unlike big-box gyms, MPI is a doctor-led physical therapy and return-to-sport gym that hosts only a few sessions at a time, ensuring individualized attention and unmatched privacy.
Movement Performance Institute - Los Angeles
2101 E. El Segundo Blvd. Suite 101
El Segundo, CA 90245
Frequently Asked Questions
Why get a longevity test?
You go to the doctor every year for a physical; think of a longevity test as a complement to that. Our test provides you with detailed benchmarks of your current fitness strengths and vulnerabilities, and the results can help you with whatever your goals may be, like leveling up in a sport, increasing endurance, reducing risk of injury, or improving your balance and mobility.
Is there an age limit for longevity testing?
We typically suggest longevity testing beginning as early as 40 years old and as late as 80, though there's nothing specifically about the tests that are restricted to that age group. You can learn how to improve your quality of life at any age!
How was this test developed?
