Standing on One Leg Could Predict Fall Risk, Study Shows
The newly released study suggests that a 30-second balance test could answer questions about healthy aging
According to a recent study led by the researchers at Mayo Clinic and published in the Public Library of Science One journal, standing on one leg might be the easiest way to determine an individual’s overall risk of falling and age-related neuromuscular decline.
Over 14 million adults in the U.S. ages 65 and older fall every year, with over half of those falls resulting in an injury requiring medical attention, according to the CDC. Some individuals may struggle to know if they’re at risk of falling as they age. Now there is one simple test that could tell them where they stand and if they need to take further precautions to avoid a fall.
The Public Library of Science One study, which was published in October, focused on the idea of longevity and determining how those who are aging can improve their living standards and health concerns, such as falling. According to the researchers, muscle mass decline increases by 8% after age 30 and continues to rise past age 60.
Researchers recruited 40 healthy adults over the age of 50 to test their gait and strength and how those affect their daily activity. The subjects were tested for various health markers such as isometric upper grip strength, isometric lower extremity extension strength, meaning to extend the knee, and static balance.
With the help of a physical therapist, participants performed 30-second static balance exercises on one leg at a time, testing their center of pressure, or COP, which is the center of pressure on the foot when standing. The results indicated that the subjects’ COP movements increased with age, determining that the bilateral test is a highly reliable indicator of aging and fall risk. Standing on a non-dominant leg decreased in time length by 2.2 seconds per decade of participants’ ages and their dominant leg balance decreased by 1.7 seconds.
In the study, older participants were more likely to make frequent balancing movements than their younger counterparts, showing aging has a significant effect on muscular and neurological systems.
Dr. Gregory Stewart from Tulane University’s Center for Sport says falling is no small issue and can be an indicator of a larger problem or a sign to incorporate resistance training into exercise.
“We can all have an ‘oops’ and have one fall, but if you have more than one … you probably should go ahead and see someone and make sure that you’re not at risk for something else,” Stewart said.