A simple balance test, such as standing on one leg, could be a strong indicator of how well older adults are aging and their risk of mortality, according to a new study. Researchers found that seniors who performed best on this straightforward, at-home assessment were about half as likely to die during a seven-year follow-up period compared to those with the lowest scores.
The study, which involved over 13,000 adults aged 65 and older in Taiwan, examined multiple aspects of physical fitness, including balance, agility, muscle strength, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility. Over the course of the study, approximately 12% of participants died.
While all fitness components showed some correlation with longevity, the one-leg balance test emerged as a particularly significant predictor. Participants who could stand on one leg with their eyes open for up to 30 seconds demonstrated roughly half the mortality risk of those who struggled with the test. The "8-foot up-and-go" test, which measures both balance and agility, also showed strong results, with top performers having a 59% lower mortality risk than the lowest performers.
Lower-body strength, assessed by how many times participants could stand up from a chair in 30 seconds, was also linked to reduced mortality, showing a 45% lower risk for those with the most repetitions. A two-minute step test, measuring heart and lung endurance, indicated a 58% lower mortality risk for individuals with better performance.
Flexibility tests, including reaching behind the back or attempting to touch toes, revealed that while extreme stiffness was associated with higher mortality, increased flexibility beyond a moderate range did not appear to offer additional longevity benefits.
When all fitness scores were combined, individuals in the top 20% of performers had a 61% lower mortality risk compared to those in the bottom 20%. The study also noted some gender differences in predictors, with balance, agility, and cardiovascular fitness being most strongly associated with lower mortality in men, while lower-body strength played a role comparable to balance and agility for women, potentially due to higher osteoporosis rates in older women.
Physical fitness reflects the integrated functioning of multiple body systems and the cumulative effects of lifestyle, illness, and aging, offering insight into an individual's functional capacity rather than just their diagnosed conditions. Declining physical abilities can make daily tasks challenging and increase the risk of falls, which are a leading cause of injury and death among older adults in the U.S. Researchers suggest that incorporating simple fitness assessments like the one-leg balance test into routine medical checkups could help healthcare providers identify individuals at higher risk of decline and recommend targeted interventions.