You may already know how many sit-ups and push-ups you’re meant to be able to do by age and gender, as well as how long you’ll ideally be able to hold a plank or stand on one leg .

These can measure everything from your biological age to your dementia risk .

But what about your balance and stability – factors Harvard Health says can influence your risk of falling and injury, and which are key to pain-free running?

The key to ensuring those are in the best possible nick, they add, is strengthening your core (a group of muscles that extends far beyond the six-pack abs you may associate with a strong core).

As it turns out, the best way to test your core strength also seems to reveal the strength of your hip flexors too – all key muscles to prevent running injury.

Try a u

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