When it comes to balancing on one foot, it may seem like a simple task, but it could actually indicate more than you think. Recent research suggests that struggles with balance could be a sign of accelerated aging in the body.
Scientists at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota have discovered that the ability to balance on one leg can reveal the rate of aging in the neuromuscular sensory system, particularly in older individuals.
This sensory system, comprised of nerves connecting muscles to the brain and spinal cord, plays a crucial role in facilitating movement. Its decline with age can lead to slower reflexes and movements.
undefined
“Balancing on one leg involves various physiological components like leg strength, postural stability muscles, neuromuscular coordination, and sensory information, all of which tend to decrease with age,” explained Professor David Proctor, an aging and exercise expert at Pennsylvania State University in the US. This information was reported by BBC Science Focus.
Preventing or slowing down the decline in strength and balance as we age can significantly impact one’s ability to stay functionally independent in the long term.
The study involved 40 participants aged between 50 and 80, who were assessed on their ability to balance on one leg. Despite similar height, weight, and activity levels, age was the only differing factor among the participants.
Each participant performed four 30-second balances with eyes closed and eyes open for both legs. The researchers recorded the duration of balance maintained within each 30-second interval to evaluate the impact of age on balance.
The results indicated a direct correlation between age and trembling, with a 6.3% increase in tremors with eyes open and a 10.5% increase with eyes closed for every decade of age. Additionally, the time spent balancing decreased by 2.2 seconds per decade on the non-dominant leg and 1.7 seconds on the dominant leg.
This suggests that balance duration is a valid marker of aging and a potential indicator of fall risk in older adults.
Although balancing for 30 seconds may not require significant muscle strength, it heavily relies on good neuromuscular control, which diminishes with age, leading to increased sway and reduced balancing time.
Fortunately, research highlights the benefits of balance and aerobic exercises like swimming, running, and cycling in preventing age-related decline in balance and muscle control.
About our experts
Dr. David Proctor, a professor at Pennsylvania State University, USA, specializes in kinesiology, physiology, and medicine. His research has been featured in various scientific journals.
read more:
Source: www.sciencefocus.com
