Failure To Balance On One Leg Predicts Risk of an Early Death

Researchers found volunteers who struggled with the simple balancing test were 84% more likely to die in the next 10 years than those who could stand unsupported, after taking into account variables like age and illness. 

The results stem from a study of fitness and health among 1,702 people over age 50 in Brazil, starting in 2009. One-in-five failed the test, generally those who were older or in poorer health. 

Adding a balance component to routine physical exams for older people could provide doctors with important health information, according to the researchers from Brazil, Finland, Australia, the UK, and the US.

More than 680,000 people die each year from falls globally, and the 10-second test can be easily used to help identify those who may be vulnerable, the researchers said. The researchers didn’t find an increased risk of any specific cause of death tied to balance.

Wobbly on one leg? Ability to balance is linked to a longer life, study finds

An inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds in later life is linked to nearly double the risk of death from any cause within the next decade, according to a study of 1,702 people ages 51 to 75 living in Brazil.

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All the signs you’re at risk of an early death, according to science

Scientists in Brazil have unveiled a 10-second balance test could determine your risk of dying early. MailOnline reveals some of the subtle signs you could be at risk of an early death.

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Prolonged sitting is bad for your health but there’s a way to mitigate the risk, study finds

Sitting more than eight hours a day can increase the risk of heart disease and early death by 20 per cent, according to a new study co-authored by a B.C. professor.

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