Research suggests, One of the useful test later in life, is Balancing on one Leg

If any one is facing difficult to stand on one leg, it may be sign that, something is more serious than overdoing it at the office summer drinks party.

Both, middle aged and elderly who are not able to stand on one leg are more likely to die within 10 years than who can, research suggests.

How well one can balance does offer insight into their health, earlier research indicates that, if an individual is not able to balance on one leg, it is linked to greater risk of stroke. Individuals having poor balance have been found to perform worse in tests of mental decline, thus suggesting a link with dementia.

International group of experts from nations such as UK, US, Australia, Finland and Brazil have completed their first of its kind, 12 year study, thus examining the relationship between balance and mortality. Even though research was observation and cannot establish cause, but its finding were striking.

The findings are so stark that the researchers, led by Dr Claudio Gil Araujo of the Clinimex exercise medicine Clinic in Rio De Janeiro, have suggested a balance test must be included in routine health checks for the older individuals.

Nearing to 1,702 individual whose age is between 51 and 75 and having stable gait were followed between 2008 and 2020 for the study. At the start, participants were asked to stand on one leg for about 10 second without any additional support. In order to standardise the test, participants were asked to place the front of their free foot on the back of opposite lower leg while keep their arms by their sies and gaze fixed straight ahead. Up to three attempts on either foot were allowed/

One in 5 (21%) failed the test, over the next decade, about 123 died due to varied causes. After accounting for age, sex and underlying conditions, an inability to stand unsupported on one leg for about 10 seconds was associated with an 84% heightened risk of death from any cause.

The research has stated that, the study had limitations, including the participants, as all of them were while Brazilians, in other words, the finding might not be widely application to individuals belonging to other ethnicities and nations.

Nevertheless, the researchers have concluded that the 10-second balance test, offers rapid as well as objective feedback for both, patient and also health professionals regarding the static balance and add useful information regarding mortality risk in middle-aged and older men and women.