What Balancing on One Leg Says About Your Health
At Caring Podiatry, we work with many active seniors, handling everything from arthritic conditions to sprains and fractures. In doing so, we’ve seen that many older adults have a problem with their balance. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of sprains, strains, and dangerous falls.
Fortunately, new research is emerging on the subject, with some experts zeroing in on accurate ways to diagnose and address balance problems before they get out of hand. And in one recently published study, the authors found that a simple balance test could be a strong indicator of age-related decline.
The One Leg Test
The findings themselves are straightforward: if you can’t stand on a single leg for 5 seconds, then you might be at risk of falling. In fact, how long a person can stand on one leg is becoming a telltale sign of balance overall.
“Balance is important because it reflects how well the body systems are working together,” says Kenton Kaufman, lead author of the study.
Kaufman is also the director of the Motion Analysis Laboratory and an orthopedist at the Mayo Clinic. According to him, balance starts to decline around age 50.
That can put those affected at risk for falling, which is a serious concern. After all, falling is the leading cause of injury for adults over age 65, according to the CDC.
Good News: A Solution in Your Shoes!
Our team has seen that seniors can experience significant results through the use of arch supports:
A study of 67 older adults found that semi-custom arch supports significantly improved balance, while another study found that foot orthoses, including flat and textured insoles, were effective in improving balance in elderly people.
Arch supports can reduce pain in the back and lower extremities, resulting in significantly improved standing balance.
Custom arch supports have been proven to reduce falls for the elderly and people with Parkinson's.
Caring Podiatry Can Help
Does the above give you cause for concern? Make an appointment at Caring Podiatry! We can evaluate your feet, help you take the one leg test, and determine what the results say about your health. With every consultation, we will also share an exercise program and recommend shoes to improve balance.
Contact our Monroe Township (609-860-9111) or Neptune (732-455-8700) offices to make an appointment. Podiatrists Andrew Schmierer, Craig Shapero, and Mark Fillari will be happy to assist you with the warmth, compassion, and expertise Caring Podiatry is known for.