Can you pass the "old man test?" This little challenge, invented by CrossFit trainer Chris Hinshaw, seems simple enough, but it’s not as easy as it looks. The test is a good indication of fitness levels, balance, coordination, and strength, and has gone viral on social media, with lots of people attempting the challenge, some successfully, some not so much. Here’s what you need to know about the Old Man Test, and why it could be an indicator of your longevity.

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How to perform the old man test:

According to a TikTok video posted by Crinshaw, the old man test is done standing. Here's how he says to complete it:

"You have to pick up one sock and put it on. Pick up the shoe for that same foot. Put that shoe on and tie it, without touching the ground. As soon as you tie up that one shoe, you can put it on the ground. The other foot goes up in the air, you must reach down, pick up the sock, put the sock on, reach down, pick up the shoe, put the shoe on, tie it, and then you can touch [the ground]."

Remember—you should be balancing on one foot except for the moment when you’re switching feet.

Here's why the old man test is important.

The challenge is a good indicator of how well you can balance, which is directly related to your fall risk.

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), more than 25 percent of people 65 years or older fall each year, with the risk increasing with age. Moreover, people of all ages are increasingly sitting for eight hours or more each day, which "leads to muscle weakness and imbalances, leaving us vulnerable to chronic discomfort and pain," Joy Puleo, NPCP, ACSM, a pilates instructor and Balanced Body Educator at Balanced Body, previously explained to Best Life.

By taking the 30 seconds or so to complete the old man test, you can assess whether balance is something you need to work on.

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It could also be an indicator of longevity.

Balance isn't just a predictor of fall risk; it might also shed some light on how long you'll live.

A recent study published in the journal Public Library of Science (PLOS) One, evaluated the balance of patients 50 and older. They determined that a good marker of balance was being able to stand on one foot for 30 seconds. However, patients averaged just 17 seconds, with those over 65 dropping to 11 seconds.

As Best Lifereported, "The team concluded that the duration you stand on one leg (regardless of biological sex) is the most important factor in determining aging compared to grip strength, lower extremity strength, or gait."

"If you can’t stand on your leg for five seconds, you’re at risk of falls," Kenton Kaufman, PhD, a musculoskeletal research professor and the study’s senior author, said in an interview with The Washington Post. "If a person can stand on their leg for 30 seconds, they’re doing really well, especially if they’re older."

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How to improve your balance:

One of the most-recommended balance exercises is a single-leg stance.

"Begin by standing near a chair or a wall. Lift one foot and balance for as many seconds as you are able. Take a break standing on both legs, and then try the other leg," Andrea Lepcio, founder and owner of Mighty Fit, explained previously in an interview with Best Life.

Experts at The New York Times recommend doing this move while holding onto a chair and bending your lifted knee toward your chest at a right angle. Eventually, if you feel comfortable, you can do these moves without holding on.

Core exercises are also important because when you have strong abs, it's easier to balance and find your point of center.