The Benefits of Balance

Could balance and flexibility be a predictor of your life’s longevity and cognitive abilities? New research says YES!

A recent article published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology linked life expectancy with the ability to rise from a seated position on the floor to a standing position. Patients were asked to sit on the floor and rise to a standing position. They were scored on the number of supports they used. For example, those who put one knee and one hand on the floor were given a “3” instead of a “5.” Those who used two or more supports were 4.7 times more likely to die within the next five years of the study than those who used little-to-no support.

This study and several like it have shown that sedentary lifestyles that create stiffness increase our mortality rate and rob us of our quality of life along the way.

Balance also can play a superior role in cognitive abilities. Did you know that if you are under the age of 65 and cannot stand on one leg for over 90 seconds that your probability of developing dementia increases by nearly 40%? Those who can stand for 90 seconds show an even less chance of developing dementia if they can stand on one leg with their eyes closed for over 15 seconds! This easy test may be one of the best predictors of future mental health than any scan or blood test.

So what changes in us as we age to cause us to lose flexibility and have poorer balance? And most importantly, is it reversible? Keep an eye on our blog. Our next post will answer these questions.

And if you want to learn even more about why and how to improve your balance, I am teaching a FREE “Balance and Flexibility” class Thursday, April 4, at 6:00pm at