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 ...
I have bad ankles and I can still do it, although I am a bit wobbly. Hopefully, I have a few years left.
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.
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.
It is balance and it can be improved. Last time I tried it was a few years ago.
I suppose knee or ankle injuries, amputations, etc, were not taken into account?
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..
Okay. How many people, upon reading this tried to stand on one leg?
Raise your hands.
LOL
Demonstrating the ability to do this with eyes closed is a standard test that neurologists routinely ask their epileptic patients.
It’s also positively correlated with failing field sobriety tests…
Trying to stand on one leg after reading the article title is a sign of dementia.
I’m good.
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.
😆😂🤣
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.
LOL
One more Scotch and I’ll try it
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!
LOL!
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