We often hear about the importance of a balanced lifestyle – but it turns out your balance itself may be a useful indicator of how long your life will be.
In a study conducted by scientists from Australia, Brazil, Finland, the UK, and the US, 1,702 people aged 51 to 75 with no pre-existing gait problems were tested to see if they could balance on one leg for 10 seconds unaided with arms by their sides and eyes straight ahead.
Up to three attempts were allowed on each foot, and around one in five failed; those who failed, the researchers said in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, were 84 per cent more likely to die of any cause within the next decade, and generally had poorer health including higher rates of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.
The researchers said that a 10-second balance test may be a useful clinical tool moving forward, and “provides rapid and objective feedback for the patient and health professionals regarding static balance”.
“The routine application of a simple and safe static balance test… adds useful information regarding mortality risk in middle-aged and older men and women,” they said.
So, watch out for wobbles when you stand on one leg – because your system may be a bit wobbly as well.
