30/06/2022
Balance is more important then we realise 😊 Test yourself - can you do more then 10 seconds ?
How long can you stand on one leg? 🦵
It’s no surprise that problems with balance increase your risk of falling. But, what makes this association worrying is that falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
A new study has found that a lack of balance can be a sign of underlying health issues. It suggested that the inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds can indicate a higher risk of death from all causes during the following 10 years.
⚖️ As we age, our flexibility and balance decline. During your 50s-70s a typical amount of time for a person to balance on one leg is:
50s = approx. 40 seconds
60s = approx. 20 seconds
70s = approx. 10 seconds
(Anat Lubetzky, PT, PhD, CSCS)
20% of the study's participants, aged 51-75, were unable to complete the balance test. Of those unable to complete the test, a higher proportion of people were obese, had heart disease, high blood pressure, or unhealthy blood fat profiles. Type 2 diabetes was also three times more common in this group.
“It’s essential to identify health problems that could be negatively affecting balance and correct them if possible,” says Dr Adam Rivadeneyra.
“If the patient is healthy, balance can be improved with practice or focused physical therapy to improve strength, endurance, and coordination.”
Struggling with balance? Consider visiting an Exercise Physiologist who can prescribe exercises to improve your balance and overall health and fitness!
Find an EP ➡ https://bit.ly/30eV930
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doi:10.1136/ bjsports-2021-105360
