Standing on one leg is a useful test to see how you are doing. The ability to maintain balance varies with age.
Take this little test to find out how healthy you are: Measure how long you can stand on one leg. According to a recent study published in the journal PLoS One, maintaining balance changes as you get older: the position must be strong and stable. Find out how long you can stand on one leg, depending on your age.
The importance of balancing on one leg
Scientists say the ability to balance while standing on one leg is a sure sign of aging. In fact, many people struggle to hold this position for more than a few minutes after the age of 65. “The duration of standing on one leg (standing on one leg) may be a reliable, gender-neutral indicator of aging in older men and older women,” the researchers said.
Balance may indicate health problems
Standing on one leg is a powerful tool for understanding how our bodies change as we age. The researchers noted that this simple test could be used to identify health issues such as instability or risk of falls, and even conditions such as peripheral neuropathy. One-Legged Balance: How to Do It
To do the test, follow a few simple rules: Stand on one leg without support, open your eyes, and keep your hands on your hips. The timer starts when your feet leave the ground and stops when your feet touch the ground again or when you take your hands off your hips.
Standing on one leg? A great time for all ages
If you are between the ages of 18 and 39, you must stand on one leg for 43 seconds. Balance is usually good at this age, but the time we can maintain balance decreases as we get older. If you’re between the ages of 40 and 49, the best time is as little as 40 seconds. While this may seem like a small difference, it’s important to remember that as you age, your body changes and it becomes harder to maintain your balance.
For people between the ages of 50 and 59, the best time drops to 37 seconds. According to research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, if people in this age group can’t stand on one leg for 10 seconds, they could be at increased risk for health conditions like heart disease in the next decade.
For those between the ages of 60 and 69, the ideal is to maintain your balance for 30 seconds. When you’re 70 to 79, the best time drops to 18 to 19 seconds. If you’re over 80, your goal should be to stand on one leg for 5 seconds. Fortunately, while our bodies are fragile at this age, these brief moments can still say a lot about our health.
