222. Ability to balance on one leg predicts longevity
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
If you can’t balance on one leg for 10 seconds, you might have a greater risk of dying in the next 10 years, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Brazilian researchers tested over 1,700 adults between the ages of 51 and 75. The participants were asked to stand on one leg for 10 seconds without holding onto anything for support. Roughly one of every five participants could not balance on one leg for 10 seconds. After factoring in age, weight, medical history and more, the researchers concluded the risk of death within 10 years was almost two times higher in participants who failed the balance test versus those who passed it. This is a simple test you can do at home, and you can improve your balance with simple measures like standing on one leg while brushing your teeth.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
