Inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds in mid to later life linked to near doubling in risk of death

Medical Xpress / British Medical Journal / British Journal of Sports Medicine ^ | June 21, 2022 | Claudio Gil Araujo et al

[ConservativeMind]

The inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds in mid- to later life is linked to a near doubling in the risk of death from any cause within the next 10 years, finds research.

To improve standardization of the test, participants were asked to place the front of the free foot on the back of the opposite lower leg, while keeping their arms by their sides and their gaze fixed straight ahead. Up to three attempts on either foot were permitted.

In all, around 1 in 5 (20.5%; 348) participants failed to pass the test. The inability to do so rose in tandem with age, more or less doubling at subsequent 5 year intervals from the age of 51-55 onwards.

There were no clear temporal trends in the deaths, or differences in the causes, between those able to complete the test and those who weren't able to do so.

But the proportion of deaths among those who failed the test was significantly higher: 17.5% vs. 4.5%, reflecting an absolute difference of just under 13%.

In general, those who failed the test had poorer health: a higher proportion were obese, and/or had heart disease, high blood pressure, and unhealthy blood fat profiles. And type 2 diabetes was 3 times as common in this group: 38% vs. around 13%.

After accounting for age, sex, and underlying conditions, an inability to stand unsupported on one leg for 10 seconds was associated with an 84% heightened risk of death from any cause within the next decade.

[ConservativeMind]

You are approach four times more likely to die in the next ten years if not being able to stand on one foot for ten seconds, versus those who can do so.

[ConservativeMind]

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[econjack]

Then it sounds like I shouldn’t try to stand on one leg.

[fidelis]

So if you find it harder to stand on one leg when you’re older you’re probably closer to death than a younger person that can. There’s a new blast.

[God luvs America]

What if you can’t stand on one leg for 10 seconds as they described but you can hold the Mr Miaggido Crane for 60 seconds?

[Sirius Lee]

I just tried doing the Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) stance with either leg and was able to do each for over a minute easily. But then I tried it while holding my instrument in my hands, but the piano is too heavy and I fell over.

[SamAdams76]

This post just made me stand on each foot for 15 seconds at a time. I added five seconds just to make sure.

I feel better now.

[dennisw]

I will try it. Eyes closed is more difficult.

[struggle]

What if you tell that to a cop during a DUI field test?

[Presbyterian Reporter]

not as easy to do as one might think

Try it.

[Yo-Yo]

This study doesn’t have a leg to stand on.

[EEGator]

If done right, there’s no defense…

You can destroy Kobra Kai.
Hell, you can go to Japan and fight someone that’s trained all of their life.
And, the Japanese will turn against a fellow citizen for some Jersey Italian.
True story…

[Leaning Right]

I’m not quite sure how helpful this leg-balancing information is. Maybe it can be used as a guideline to decide whether or not to buy more life insurance.

[steve86]

I thought it was easy (67). Not sure about doing it with eyes closed, though.

[twoputt]

I take it you have to be sober when you try this?

[CaptainK]

Do I have to take points off if I wobble?

[CaptainK]

Do I have to take points off if I wobble?

[reed13k]

On 1 leg in which pose.....hmmmmm......???

[Rurudyne]

“A spike in the number of deaths of old people falling while trying to stand on one leg has been observed.”

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Which leg? I ain't got but two toes on my left. I'll try the right one.

Yep. That one works ok.