The inability to stand on one leg for ten seconds in mid to later life was associated to almost doubling the risk of death according to research published in British Journal of Sports Medicine.

While balance tests are not routine tests as part of health checkups, balance is known to deteriorate for people as they get past their sixth decade. Therefore, drawing on the cohort study from the Clinimex exercise medicine clinic in Brazil, researchers wanted to know if a simple balance test is a good prognostic screener and if it is worthy of being included in routine wellness visits.

The published analysis included 1,702 participants between the ages of 51 to 75 years old, nearly a third were men, at their first check up between 2009 to 2020. Part of this checkup included the task of standing on one leg for 10 seconds without any additional support.

They found that approximately 20% of the participants failed the test with nearly double every five years from 51 to 55 and beyond. Proportion of people unable to stand on one leg for people 51 to 55 years old was 5%, 56 to 60 years old was 8%, 61 to 65 years old was 18%, 66 to 70 years old was approximately 37%, almost 50% for people 71 to 75 tears old.

Comparing to the death data in follow up, they found after controlling for age, sex, and underlying conditions, the inability to balance on one leg for 10 seconds was associated with an 84% increased risk of death for any causes within the next ten years.

While cautioning the readers that the results are observational and correlational, the test appears to be a good health screening tool.

So how long can you stand on one leg?

CGil Araujo et al. Successful 10-second one-legged stance performance predicts survival in middle-aged and older individuals. British Journal of Sports Medicine.  DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-105360