Test of standing on one leg could reveal an increased risk of dying within the next 10 years
Surprisingly, being able to balance like a flamingo is a greater indication of your overall health than you may think.
We all like to think we are healthy-ish and in decent shape but how often do you actually put these ideas to the test?
Health professionals have explained that one simple test can help reveal whether you could be at risk of dying within the next 10 years.
The test is pretty straightforward and will only take a few seconds to complete.
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It focuses on balance and strength - two things which are lost the more frail a person becomes, making them more prone to bone-shattering falls.
How do I do the test?
It is essentially just balancing on one leg with both of your hands placed on your hip.
Simply stand up straight on both feet, lift your dominant leg off the ground with your hands on your hips and start the timer, stop the timer when your foot touches the ground.
The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has outlined the optimal time each age group should be able to stand.
Experts believe that people between the ages of 18 and 39 should be able to stand for 43 seconds, 40 seconds for ages 40-49, 37 seconds for ages 50-59, 30 seconds for 60-69, 18 seconds for ages 70-79 and a little over 5 seconds for people over 80 years old.
And according to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, 'the inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds in mid to later life is linked to a near doubling in the risk of death from any cause within the next 10 years'.
Selina Lim, Divisional Director for Integrated Pathways at the NHS East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, has said people can use this balancing test to gauge where they are health-wise.
She explained: “We know that people who struggle to balance for the expected amount of time are at a higher risk of developing ill-health as they age.
“By taking part in the ‘flamingo challenge’ people can quickly and easily assess for themselves whether they are at risk. If they are, there are lots of different activities they can engage in that can help improve their overall fitness.”
If your balancing abilities aren’t quite as good as they should be, fret not as it can be an easy and simple fix.
Debbie Dyer, Clinical Lead for Ageing Well and Anticipatory Care at the North East Essex Alliance, explained why exercising regularly is good for an aging body and how it will help improve your balance.
She said: “We all hope to live independently and in good health as we get older, and leading an active lifestyle is an important factor in improving our chances for doing just that.
“Moving our bodies more day-to-day brings immediate benefit, too. Exercise is brilliant for mental health and is a great way of meeting new people in your community.
“The longer daytime hours make summer the ideal time to be getting out and about as much as you possibly can, however old you are.
“The fitter and healthier you are, the better your mental wellbeing, and the longer you will retain your agility, strength, and balance into later life.”
Gerrard Kaonga