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Balancing on one leg for 30 seconds is a tell-tale sign of aging, says study
Aging causes a lot of changes in the body, which can be minimized with a healthy lifestyle. Though strength is crucial to well-being in old age, scientists argue balance plays a bigger role.
The rate at which people age depends on various factors such as diet, physical activity, genetics, and even losing a loved one, which is said to speed the process. A new study links a person’s ability to stand on one leg to biological aging – it only takes 30 seconds to know if you’re “doing well”.
What standing on one leg tells about aging
Changes that occur with aging, such as declined strength or inefficient gait, are far less accurate than one’s ability to balance.
According to a new Mayo Clinic research, people who can balance on one leg are less prone to injuries related to old age. It is also used to determine overall health.
“Standing on one leg specifically the nondominant leg showed the highest rate of decline with age,” states the new release for the study.
The lead author of the research, Dr. Kenton Kaufman, explains how balance is an important measure for biological aging, by linking it to various bodily functions.
As he explains, balancing not only requires muscle strength, it also needs input from vision, the vestibular system (structures between the brain and inner ear that help balance), and the somatosensory systems (sensory nervous system to process the sensation of the body).
You can practice balance anywhere, anytime
Balance is especially important when you age to prevent serious injuries while moving or still, depending on how well you can hold yourself in one place.
The new release warns that “Unintentional falls are the leading cause of injuries among adults who are 65 and older,” most of which happen due to loss of balance.
Don’t fret if you aren’t good at balancing; you can train yourself for it. You can practice daily by standing on one leg and increasing the duration as you get better.
Dr. Kenton says you are doing well if you can balance on one leg for 30 seconds without reaching for support. However, practice is key.
“If you don’t use it, you lose it. If you use it, you maintain it. It’s easy to do. It doesn’t require special equipment, and you can do it every day,” he added.
