Your balance is a hidden marker of biological age

We rarely think about balance until we start to lose it. Meanwhile, the ability to hold your body steady is one of the most accurate indicators of how much your body is aging. The ability to stand on one leg for at least 10 seconds is more important than arm strength or stride speed.

Not long ago, experts analyzed the data of more than one and a half thousand people aged 51 to 75 years. Those who failed showed a significantly higher risk of premature death over the next seven years. The findings were frighteningly accurate: coordination is lost with age in the first place, and this is directly related to the work of the nervous system.

In addition to the usual measurements such as grip strength or gait stability, balance is now being emphasized. Fresh data has shown that the ability to stand on one leg declines with age faster than other physical parameters. This is especially noticeable after the age of 50, when the neuromuscular system loses its former reaction speed.

To stand on one leg, the brain must process signals from the eyes, ears and muscles instantaneously. We feel where our joints are, how our weight is distributed, and all of this is sent to the brain in real time. It, in turn, controls micro-movements to prevent us from falling. This process seems automatic to us, but it requires a whole system to work together.

Adding to the complexity are the diseases that often come with age. Overweight, heart problems, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes all interfere with the body’s ability to remain stable. With these factors in the background, the balance gets out of balance even faster.

The good news is that practicing balance is not only possible, but necessary. Simple exercises such as standing on one foot while brushing your teeth, walking in an imaginary straight line, or using unstable surfaces can already produce results. Regular yoga or tai chi classes help improve coordination and strengthen muscles without overworking the body.

Physical fitness is something we can maintain if we keep moving. The body gets used to the load and slowly recovers lost abilities. The key is to keep moving. Even simple stability exercises can be the key to a long and active life.

After all, checking your balance is not a competition, but a signal. If you can’t hold on to one leg, it’s no reason to panic, but it’s a sure sign that it’s time to take care of yourself.