“Just One Thing” - Any evidence for benefits of balancing on one leg?

[BonifaceBonanza]

I wondered about this for a while.
The ability to balance on one leg for a certain period is the clearest predictor there is for all cause future mortality (I think this is a fact).

Sure, I can see that the ability to stay balanced on one leg (requiring unconscious neurological and muscular control) could be a proxy for general physical health ie a correlation.

I’m not convinced (I wish I was!) that training ourselves to have better balance can actually cause an improvement in all cause mortality.
But this is how it’s usually reported, that training in the one leads to benefits in the other.

Anyone got any thought on this? Or been able to dig out some useful scientific studies?

Just to add my 2 pennies, I've always been a big fan of weight training, often people are put off as they picture a gym monkey on a bench press.

Research suggests that any amount of weight training reduces your mortality risk.

Scientists analyzed the behaviors of 216,000 adults over 15 years. Compared to those who performed no weight training whatsoever, any amount of pumping iron was associated with a lower risk of death from any cause, as well as less risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

🙂

What did I say wrong now!

I can stand on one leg or the other, I wobble a bit but I persevere and am getting better. It's far easier with footwear on.

I think I have good grip. Well I was able to lift a 20 kilo case off the airport belt with ease recently which pleased me no end!

Then when I got to apartment the lift was out of order. I carried the case, + backpack up four flights of stairs.

I'm doing OK for 67 I'd say, but there's always room for improvement I suppose.

Is there a certain way of standing on one leg - is the leg up in front of you with knee up or push behind or slightly lifted off the floor only? Not sure it makes a difference?

Not sure why but if I swing my leg left to right just in front of me it’s easier to balance. So I guess I’m not really supposed to do it like that?

I think as PP have said it's primarily a correlation/prediction measure.

BUT I do also think that engaging with the one legged balance practice can, for some people, lead on to other activities that will lessen illness and injury risk in various areas. Eg if you start feeling more comfortable with your ankle balance, you might feel more confident walking on grass or trails rather than only flat paths, and might therefore walk more often or further and start increasing your fitness and stamina. Likewise you might start taking the stairs instead of the lift and start improving cardiovascular fitness and weight bearing. You might find improved balance confidence means you are willing to try a beginner tai chi or yoga or dance class, and so start moving other areas of your body more and increase your flexibility, mobility and strength.

You might feel confident in your ankles and legs so you start engaging other muscles by squatting to reach the lower cabinets rather than bending down or asking someone to do it for you. You might generally feel more confident and positive in how you move through the world, and see improvements in your mood and willingness to engage with new experiences and say yes to things.

I don't think you'll find a study about this. But if you start improving your balance and that leads on to moving your joints and your body a little more than you used to, my theory is that this process can lead to health improvements that can be quite significant.

Re the left leg swing thing - do you mean only one side? I'm no expert, but I've been told that most of us are uneven in strength and balance. I wouldn't let it stop you. All movement (provided it's pain free) is good - keep going and your muscles will keep working. You can also do some gentle stretching to see if one side of your back / leg is tighter than the other.

If it's the same on both sides, you're probably just finding your centre for balance that way. It's still balancing 😊