As per some British researchers elderly people who can still give a firm handshake and can walk at a brisk pace are likely to live longer than those who cannot.

Even after taking into account the age, sex and body size, they discovered that simple measures of physical capability were related to life span among senior citizens in the community.

It is the first study of its kind to provide a comprehensive view of the existing research by pooling all the date which stand relevant to the matter. It examined grip strength, walking speed, time to get up from a chair and ability to balance on one leg, greatly in people ages 70 and above, and analyzed the mortality from all causes.

Rachel Cooper of the Medical Research Council, a publicly funded research organisation in London said, “These measures have been used in population-based research for quite a long time. They may be useful indicators for subsequent health.”

She told Reuters Health, “I wouldn't suggest that we roll them out into clinical practice tomorrow, but it is possible that they could be used in the future.”