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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

Posted on 06/22/2022 11:13:03 AM PDT by 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.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: balance; exercise
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To: ConservativeMind

I have bad ankles and I can still do it, although I am a bit wobbly. Hopefully, I have a few years left.


61 posted on 06/22/2022 12:41:19 PM PDT by CFW
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To: ConservativeMind

Piece of cake!
Of course a year of yoga, three times a week helps!
My instructor specializes in over 55 as falls are a major cause of death in the over 70 group.


62 posted on 06/22/2022 12:41:30 PM PDT by Zathras
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To: ConservativeMind

20 seconds. Not bad for 92. I quickly figured out to do this on a hard surface and not thick carpet.

My new wife is dragging me to some senior olympic thing with her this summer. She’s the athlete but I’ll give it a try, but I look silly when I run.


63 posted on 06/22/2022 12:44:33 PM PDT by Doctor Congo
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To: cymbeline

It is balance and it can be improved. Last time I tried it was a few years ago.


64 posted on 06/22/2022 12:46:10 PM PDT by dennisw
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To: ConservativeMind
In early life it is considered child's play to stand on one leg for hours.


65 posted on 06/22/2022 12:58:04 PM PDT by Zack Attack
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To: ConservativeMind

I suppose knee or ankle injuries, amputations, etc, were not taken into account?


66 posted on 06/22/2022 12:59:56 PM PDT by rolling_stone
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To: 21twelve

heck I have trouble doing the alphabet forward..learned ( or tried) too many foreign languages as a kid...

I always figured if I got stopped I would say the alphabet in a foreign language or two but with my luck the officer would know that language..


67 posted on 06/22/2022 1:03:24 PM PDT by rolling_stone
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To: ConservativeMind

Okay. How many people, upon reading this tried to stand on one leg?

Raise your hands.


68 posted on 06/22/2022 1:07:34 PM PDT by rlmorel (Nolnah's Razor: Never attribute to incompetence that which is adequately explained by malice.)
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To: M Kehoe

LOL


69 posted on 06/22/2022 1:10:04 PM PDT by rlmorel (Nolnah's Razor: Never attribute to incompetence that which is adequately explained by malice.)
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To: dennisw
Eyes closed is more difficult.

Demonstrating the ability to do this with eyes closed is a standard test that neurologists routinely ask their epileptic patients.

70 posted on 06/22/2022 1:20:52 PM PDT by Deaf and Discerning
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To: ConservativeMind

It’s also positively correlated with failing field sobriety tests…


71 posted on 06/22/2022 1:22:03 PM PDT by dinodino ( )
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To: ConservativeMind

Trying to stand on one leg after reading the article title is a sign of dementia.


72 posted on 06/22/2022 1:46:57 PM PDT by PTBAA
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To: ConservativeMind

I’m good.


73 posted on 06/22/2022 1:55:45 PM PDT by P-Marlowe (I got the <ΙΧΘΥΣ>< variant. Catch it. John 3:16)
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To: ConservativeMind

I stood up from my chair to give it a shot, tripped over the table leg and almost fell down before I started. Was able to do it for 20 seconds on either leg, but wobbled a bit.


74 posted on 06/22/2022 2:01:44 PM PDT by dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_vFiUUcBkc)
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To: Sirius Lee

😆😂🤣


75 posted on 06/22/2022 2:06:08 PM PDT by SaveFerris (The Lord, The Christ and The Messiah: Jesus Christ of Nazareth - http://www.BiblicalJesusChrist.Com/)
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To: dead

I stood on one leg for about 90 seconds.

I then stood on the other leg for about 85 seconds
but then she started screaming so I gave up.


76 posted on 06/22/2022 2:09:43 PM PDT by SaveFerris (The Lord, The Christ and The Messiah: Jesus Christ of Nazareth - http://www.BiblicalJesusChrist.Com/)
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To: SaveFerris

LOL


77 posted on 06/22/2022 2:12:44 PM PDT by gitmo (If your theology doesn't become your biography, what good is it?)
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To: ConservativeMind

One more Scotch and I’ll try it


78 posted on 06/22/2022 2:13:44 PM PDT by AppyPappy (Biden told Al Roker "America is back". Unfortunately, he meant back to the 1970's)
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To: ConservativeMind

And people who stand on one leg for over 10 seconds while an oncoming train approaches them had an even greater percentage of death. Yay, junk science!


79 posted on 06/22/2022 2:14:35 PM PDT by OrangeHoof (No food in the stores; fuel prices too high? Thank a liberal.)
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To: SaveFerris

LOL!


80 posted on 06/22/2022 2:17:34 PM PDT by dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_vFiUUcBkc)
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