Balancing on one leg may be useful health test in later life, research suggests - The Guardian

People who cannot stand on one leg for 10 seconds are found to be almost twice as likely to die within 10 years.

Middle-aged and elderly people who cannot balance on one leg for 10 seconds are almost twice as likely to die within 10 years than those who can, research suggests.

The findings are so stark that the researchers, led by Dr Claudio Gil Araujo of the Clinimex exercise medicine clinic in Rio de Janeiro, suggest a balance test should be included in routine health checks for older people.

However, balance assessment typically is not included in health checks of middle-aged and older people, possibly because there is no standardised test for it.

Nevertheless, the researchers concluded that the 10-second balance test “provides rapid and objective feedback for the patient and health professionals regarding static balance” and “adds useful information regarding mortality risk in middle-aged and older men and women”