Standing for 10 seconds on one leg... a test that predicts the risk of premature death

Over the past years, experts have discovered dozens of signs that indicate the causes of the potential risk of early death;

Ranging from not being able to breathe when climbing stairs to having poor grip strength, according to one study.

Furthermore, they have now discovered that those who cannot balance on one leg for 10 seconds are more likely to die.

Balance problems are known to be a major cause of falls in the elderly.

“1 in 4 older Americans trips each year, and 20 percent of falls result in a broken bone or head injury,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

So, says the National Institute on Aging (NIA), "feeling out of balance on your feet can have serious consequences."

One of the indicators of poor health

In late June, a new study conducted by Brazilian researchers indicated that "the success of older people - and middle-aged people - to stand on one leg with perfect balance for 10 seconds may be a measure of their expected average survival."

Lead author of the study, Dr Claudio Gil Araujo, said: "Impaired balance is associated with age, in which muscular fitness gradually declines, which is a major indicator of deterioration in an individual's health."

But he stressed that "a person's ability to balance can be maintained in the sixth decade of life, if he has a reasonable level of physical fitness, flexibility, and muscle strength."

He explained - in an interview with USA Today - that "if you are under 70 years old, you are expected to successfully complete the 10-second OLS test."

For those over the age of 70, "if they complete the test, they will be in a stable equilibrium, better than their age counterparts."

Because the balance test is simple, fast and safe, Dr. Araujo recommended that everyone “try it for 15 seconds, during their morning routine, when they brush their teeth, to use it as a measure of their fitness.” He also suggested that it be used in routine physical tests, for the elderly, and for the middle-aged group. .

“Being able to balance on one leg is important for older people and reflects broader levels of fitness and health,” Araujo said. “We need to get up and down stairs, etc.

He added that "balance can be greatly improved with specific training," and advised those who want to test their ability to balance on one leg for 10 seconds, "to stand near a wall, table or any other person, to avoid falling."

age effect

The study was conducted between 2009 and 2020, and was part of a broader research project that began in 1994 in which researchers tracked 1,702 participants, ranging in age from 51 to 75, with an average age of 61;

They collected data on their weight, waist size and body measurements, and then chose those who could walk steadily.

Participants stood on a flat platform, barefoot and with little clothing, under the close supervision of a doctor or nurse, to prevent any potential falls or injuries. They were asked to place the soles of one foot on the inner side above the leg they were standing on, and to keep their arms at their sides, with their eyes fixed Towards the front, before the start of the count for 10 seconds.

After each participant got 3 attempts, 1 in 5 people failed the test, and the incidence of imbalance increased with age, while those with weight problems or diabetes were more likely to fail.

Among those who failed the test were a higher proportion of those with obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, and unhealthy fats in the blood;

Type 2 diabetes was also most common among those who could not complete the test.

The study found that, for those who could not complete the balance test, there was an 84 percent higher risk of death.

The final results also showed that the risk of death within 10 years was 1.84 times for participants who failed the balance test, compared to those who passed it.

The researchers took into account factors such as age, gender, body mass index, history of heart disease, blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and regular medication use.

A global test for the risk of death in the future

Dr Araujo cautioned that "testing is limited in white Brazilians; therefore the results may not be broadly applicable to other races and nations."

Nor were the researchers able to analyze other variables such as physical activity pattern, exercise, diet, smoking, and use of medications that might interfere with balance.

Dr Naveed Sattar, a professor at the University of Glasgow, who was not involved in the study, told CNN that "the research is interesting, albeit not definitive," but he explained that "because standing on one leg requires good balance." It is associated with brain function, good muscle strength and good blood flow, integrating the muscular, vascular and brain systems, so it is a universal test for future risk of death, even if it is promising."

He added, "If someone cannot pass this test, they should try to make positive changes in their lifestyle, such as walking more, eating less, and consulting their doctor, especially for those who have risk factors, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes."