Experts share simple five second test that can prove if you’re going to have an early death

A simple test that takes just a few seconds could determine whether you will die prematurely.

Christmas is just around the corner, so naturally, everyone is thinking about death.

None of us knows when death will finally come, and the prospect hangs over us every moment of our lives like the Sword of Damocles always threatening to fall - there's a thought to have in the back of your mind as you tuck into your turkey.

Well, a study has offered some insight into what someone's life expectancy might be.

Of course, there are a lot of factors in how long someone lives, including genetics and lifestyle. And let's face it, there's a good amount of luck as well, as being the healthiest person in the world, doesn't count for much if you get pancaked by a bus.

A perfect score means you can get up from this position without using your hands or knees (Thomas Barwick/Getty)

But acts of God aside, this test has been put forward as a simple way to get an idea of how long you have.

This is the sitting and standing test, and it only takes a few seconds to do.

How does the sitting and standing test work?

Professor Janet Lord explained that it starts by standing with your legs crossed with bare feet, before lowering yourself to the ground.

But there's a catch - you can't use your hands, and your knees can't touch the ground either.

That's just the first bit though, as once you're down, you then have to stand up again, with the same restrictions applying, so no hands.

"You're showing how strong your muscles are, and without wobbling at all you're showing how good your balance is," said Prof Lord.

This simple act is then placed on a scoring system.

You have to sit down and stand up without using your hands and knees (The Good Brigade/Getty)

You start with 10 points, and points are then deducted each time you need to use a hand or a knee when you sit down and stand up, and half a point if you wobble.

A Brazilian study assessed over 2,000 people aged between 50 and 80, and found that the scores matched up with people's health after the study.

What do different scores mean?

Well, eight to 10 is the best, meaning that you'll likely have a long and healthy life.

The next bracket down is the six to 7.5 group, who are twice as likely to have a shorter life than the eight-10 group.

Then it's 3.5 to 5.5, who have three and a half times the risk of a shorter life. But there is some good news - if you exercise and get a better score, then this improves your chances.

This is because the test is an indicator of your overall strength, fitness, and cardiac health as well.