For older adults, being able to balance briefly on one foot may predict how long they'll live. People who failed a 10-second balance test of standing on one foot were nearly twice as likely to die in the next 10 years, researchers reported in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The test required them to stand on one leg for 10 seconds without holding onto anything to support themselves. Exactly why a loss of balance can predict risk of death is not yet known, said the study's lead author, but in general, people who failed the test tended to be in poorer health than those who passed. Tap the link to find out at what age balance declines and whether it's possible to improve it. |
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