Can you complete the #sittingrisingtest challenge? (without injuring yourself !) and don't panic if you do not score a perfect 10 (I didn't) - more details on series 3 of A Thorough Examination on BBC Radio 4 on BBC Sounds

The test requires you to lower yourself to the floor, crisscross style, without bracing yourself with your hands, knees, arms, or sides of your legs.

If you can stand back up, again without the aid of those body parts, you’ve scored a perfect 10 (five points for sitting, five points for standing). You lose a point every time you support yourself with a forbidden joint or appendage.

It is not the definitive test of health - but it's fun to try it and might show that you need to do more strength work (or that you have the power and poise of a gymnast!) This is a good piece.

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@BBCRadio4 @BBCSounds Just tried this and I did it no problem at all and can pretty much guarantee I wouldn’t have been able to do it this time last year when I was 3 stone heavier and before I started Pilates. Pilates is a game changer

@BBCRadio4 @BBCSounds I follow @4abalancedyou. Loads of great exercises for older people.

@BBCRadio4 @BBCSounds I’m intrigued to whether there are any benefits / challenges for women versus men with regard to hips / Q angle etc. I can get (fall 😂) down fine but need a knee to get back up. This could be my bank holiday weekend activity (alongside the eggs)

@BBCRadio4 @BBCSounds That’s got ACL rupture written all over it

@BBCRadio4 @BBCSounds I don't think I've ever been able to do this, certainly as an adult, but I'm still here, pushing 60! I think arthritis has put paid to hopes of any improvement now

@BBCRadio4 @BBCSounds I've done this in the past, and I saw someone on here doing this recently ... but it strikes me as a risky exercise unless you're pretty likely to be able to do it, and maybe even then. (I'm not a physio, not an expert, etc, etc) There must be safer exercises to use as tests!

@BBCRadio4 @BBCSounds Whoops. Shouldn’t have tried this after 2 knee replacements!