A leading cardiologist has a new prescription for a longer life, and it doesn’t come in a bottle. The advice is to master the 10-second, one-legged stance. This simple test of balance is a research-backed indicator of your overall health and longevity.
The prescription is based on a robust 2022 study that followed 1,700 adults aged 50-75 for a decade. The study found a profound link between a person’s ability to balance and their risk of dying from any cause in the following seven years.
The results were statistically significant. Those who could successfully stand on one leg for 10 seconds had a greater than 90% chance of survival over the next seven years, free from disability. This makes static balance a vital sign that should not be ignored.
The heart specialist explains that this test is so revealing because balance is an integrated function, reflecting the health of the nervous system, sensory inputs, and muscle response. A failure in this test could signal an underlying issue that warrants a broader health evaluation.
If you find the test difficult, the cardiologist suggests a proactive treatment plan: exercise. Specifically, she recommends activities that build stability and body awareness, such as yoga and Tai Chi, to improve your performance on the test and, by extension, your long-term health outlook.
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