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Scientists Reveal At-Home ‘Balance’ Test That Is a Sure-Shot Measure of Aging

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Updated Nov. 19 2024, 3:10 a.m. ET

Man at home trying to balance himself on one leg while holding a chair for support. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Westend61)
Source: Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Westend61

Man at home trying to balance himself on one leg while holding a chair for support.

Declining age comes with an array of health problems. While personal well-being varies from person to person, scientists have revealed an easy at-home fitness test to determine the impact of aging, per the Independent. A new study has shown that the ability to stand on one leg can measure aging in humans more efficiently than testing other abilities like strength or gait. Balance has a greater role to play in health issues with age, with scientists marking unintentional falls as one of the leading causes of injuries in older people.

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Source: Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Betsie Van der Meer

Senior citizens practice balancing on one leg.

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Scientists tested 40 healthy people over the age of 50 on a number of aspects, including walking, balance, knee, and grip strength, as per the study published in the scientific journal PLoS ONE in October 2024. The participants were divided based on their age being over or under 65 and underwent a few fitness tests. Loss of balance was the main testing factor in the study as it has been found that people over the age of 65 witness the highest number of unintentional falls further causing serious injuries, per the source. Senior author Kenton Kaufman, who also worked on the study, said, “Changes in balance are noteworthy. If you have poor balance, you’re at risk of falling whether or not you’re moving. Falls are a severe health risk with serious consequences.”

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