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From lifestyle to genetic disposition: There are various factors that play a role in the estimated life expectancy. According to a study, a balance test also provides clues.
The question of one’s own lifespan is one that many people prefer to avoid. The thought of the end of life is not exactly encouraging for many. But from a medical point of view, the Life expectancy is a fascinating research topicThere are countless studies that deal with the Factors that extend our lives or shorten it. Indicators of premature death are also being scientifically investigated.
A team of international scientists has discovered that a simple balance exercise can provide information about one’s life expectancy. “Our aim was to investigate whether the ability to complete a 10-second one-legged stand is associated with overall mortality and whether it provides relevant prognostic information beyond the usual demographic, anthropometric and clinical data,” explained the researchers led by Claudio Gill Araujo from the Exercise Medicine Clinic-CLINIMEX in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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In detail: The results of the balance test
As part of their study, the researchers collected health data from 1,702 people (68 percent of them men) aged 51 to 75 years, collected between 2008 and 2020. The participants also performed the ten-second one-legged stand. Seven percent of the study participants died during the average observation period of seven years. Most deaths were due to Cancer followed by cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and complications from the corona virus. It was noteworthy that the proportion of deaths among those who had failed the balance test was significantly higher – 17.5 percent compared to 4.5 percent, as the Ärzteblatt reported.
According to Ärzteblatt, the inability to stand on one leg for ten seconds without help was associated with an 84 percent increased risk of dying from any cause within the next decade. “In an adjusted model that took into account age, gender, body mass index and comorbidities, people who could not stand on one leg for more than ten seconds died earlier. The ability to do so, on the other hand, was associated with a significantly improved prediction of mortality risk,” the researchers said in their study.
More information about the study “Successful 10-second one-legged stance performance predicts survival in middle-aged and older individuals”
Release date: 21 June 2022
Investigation period: 2008 to 2020; average observation period of seven years
Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine
Scope: 1,702 study participants
Study authors: International research team led by Claudio Gill Araujo from the Exercise Medicine Clinic-CLINIMEX in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It is in no way a substitute for a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not permitted to answer individual questions about medical conditions.