If you have difficulty standing on one leg, it could be a sign of something more serious. Middle-aged and older people who cannot maintain balance on one leg for 10 seconds are almost twice as likely to die within 10 years than those who can, a study suggests.
Previous research shows that the inability to stand on one foot is associated with an increased risk of stroke. People with poor balance have performed worse on mental tests, suggesting a link to dementia.
Finally, after 12 years of research, a group of experts from the UK, US, Australia, Finland and Brazil have completed a first study of its kind, which examines the relationship between equilibrium and mortality. Although research could not determine the cause, the data were startling.
The inability to stand on one foot for 10 seconds at a late age is associated with a doubling of the risk of death from any cause within the next 10 years. The results were published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
A total of 1,702 people aged between 51 and 75 and with stable gait were screened between 2008 and 2020 for the study. At first, participants were asked to stand on one leg for 10 seconds without any additional support. To standardize the test, participants were asked to place the front of their free leg on the back of their lower leg while keeping their arms sideways and their gaze fixed straight forward. Up to three attempts with both feet were allowed.
One in five (21%) failed the test. Over the next decade, 123 died of various causes. After calculating age, sex, and underlying health problems, the inability to stand unsupported on one leg for 10 seconds was associated with an increased risk of 84% death from any cause.
Ekspertët e studimit sugjerojnë se një test ekuilibri duhet të përfshihet në kontrollet rutinë shëndetësore për njerëzit e moshuar.
Studiuesit thanë se studimi kishte kufizime, duke përfshirë faktin se pjesëmarrësit ishin të gjithë brazilianë të bardhë, që do të thotë se gjetjet mund të mos jenë më të zbatueshme për etnitë dhe kombet e tjera. Sidoqoftë, ata arritën në përfundimin se testi i ekuilibrit të 10 sekondave "siguron reagime të shpejta dhe objektive për pacientin dhe profesionistët e shëndetit në lidhje me ekuilibrin statik" dhe "shton informacion të dobishëm në lidhje me rrezikun e vdekshmërisë tek burrat dhe gratë e moshës së mesme dhe të moshuar.”
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