This Surprising Skill May Be An Indicator Of Longevity, Study Says

According to the study, balance begins to significantly decrease as people approach middle-age, leaving them more susceptible to falling. However, it’s not taking a tumble that can impact your longevity, but rather what these incidents indicate about your overall health.

In the study of 1,702 participants (of which 68% were men), individuals between the ages of 51 and 75 were assessed throughout the years 2008 to 2020. During this time they were directed to engage in a 10-second one-legged stand test (10-s OLS test) and whether or not they were able to complete it was noted alongside data of their BMI, other comorbidities, age, and sex.

In the culmination of data across the years, 20.4% of participants were not able to complete the 10 seconds single-leg stand. With this data, 7.2% of participants died after the “median follow-up of 7 years,” leading the authors to determine that those who had better balance also lived longer lives.

While not being able to stand on your leg for 10 seconds or longer does not guarantee a shorter lifespan, it can indicate your overall health and “there is potential benefit to including the 10-s OLS as part of routine physical examination in middle-aged and older adults,” according to the study authors.

When you go to the doctor they often check on a variety of health factors to determine your overall well-being. This may include your weight, blood pressure, etc., but the study authors suggest balance as a helpful criteria when evaluating overall health.

Along with practicing your balance (tree pose, anyone?), eating a nutrient-rich diet, supplementing with longevity-supporting bioactive botanicals, like those in mbg's ultimate multivitamin+, and spending time around loved ones, can all go the distance in supporting a long, healthy, and happy life.*