You may recall earlier this year that a striking headline hit the news “Inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds linked to doubling in risk of death“.

This was on the back of a research study that found that 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.

Balance naturally declines from about the age of 50. The study found that, in general, those who failed the 10 second balance 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.

Have you tested your balance to see how long you could balance for? 

To improve your balance, think like an athlete! What do athletes do to improve their abilities in a specific sport? They train in that sport. So, simply standing on one leg is a great way to both test your balance and also train your balance system.

Practicing standing on one leg is really the simplest way to improve or maintain good balance. Not only will this exercise help with your balance, it will also improve your eye-brain connection and the strength in your ankle, knee and hip, as well as your posture.

Read more about Balance Awareness Week here

Here’s some exercises to help you reduce the risk of falls.