How Long You Can Balance on 1 Leg Reveals Neuromuscular Aging

When balance goes, other physical abilities—such as strength—are also affected, but balance is often the first to change. Learn simple steps for better balance.

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A simple exercise—standing on one leg—can reveal a lot about how we age, according to new research from the Mayo Clinic.

Standing on one leg is a good measure of your overall health because balance reflects how the body’s systems work together, lead study author Kenton Kaufman, a senior research scientist at the Mayo Clinic, said in a statement.