Health and fitness expert Mark Sisson offered a functional benchmark for aging well in a recent post, highlighting the importance of maintaining impact-absorbing strength and coordination into later life.

“If you can jump down from an 18 inch ledge and safely land and absorb the impact—and you maintain this ability into perpetuity—you will age gracefully,” said Mark Sisson in a post on X.

He later added that if someone is unsure of their capability, it’s wise to start smaller—testing with a 6- to 12-inch surface and working up gradually (follow-up post here).

The ability to handle ground reaction force from a small jump requires joint integrity, core strength, balance, and fast-twitch muscle activation—all essential elements for fall prevention and long-term mobility. Functional movements like jumping and landing also stimulate bone density and preserve neuromuscular coordination as we age.

Sisson’s guidance aligns with his ancestral health philosophy: that natural, primal movement patterns are crucial for maintaining vitality and independence over time.

Mark Sisson is the founder of Mark’s Daily Apple and a pioneer of the primal health movement. He’s the author of The Primal Blueprint and other books promoting longevity, metabolic flexibility, and functional fitness.