Can Balancing on One Leg Help You Live Longer? New Study Suggests It Might

We all know flamingos are masters of this balancing act, but did you know that mastering it yourself could impact your health and longevity? According to a new study, the ability to balance on one leg could be a surprisingly accurate indicator of your overall health and fall risk.

Research published in the journal PLOS One shows that people over the age of 50 experience a decline in their single-leg stance time, with the rate of decline much faster compared to hand grip strength or knee strength.

“Balance reflects how the body’s systems are working together,” said Dr. Kenton Kaufman, a research scientist at the Mayo Clinic and senior author of the study. “Good balance provides the ability to carry out activities of daily living without the fear of falling, and this leads to improved quality of life and healthy aging.”

In the study, researchers found that participants only able to hold a one-legged stance for less than 5 seconds might be at risk for falling. Dr. Anat Lubetzky, an associate professor of physical therapy at New York University, agrees, emphasizing that good balance is crucial for performing everyday tasks effectively and safely, like walking, turning, getting up from a seated position, and reacting to unexpected situations.

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While the study focused on adults over 50, Dr. Kaufman stresses that maintaining your balance is beneficial for people of all ages.

“If you continue to train your balance system as you’re young, you should maintain that as you age,” he said.