Does being able to stand on one leg for 10 seconds predict survival?
Answered November 2, 202610 sources
EvidenceCLimitedStudies in people with real weaknesses: small, short or conflicting trials, or observational studies only.
Yes, in middle-aged and older adults, people who couldn't hold the pose died about four times as often over 7 years. It's a warning sign for groups, and can't predict one person's future.
Who it's for
Adults aged about 50 to 75; not shown to guide care for individuals.
What to expect
Failing the test went with a much higher chance of dying within 7 years.
Watch out for
Falls history and activity weren't accounted for, so the test may reflect general fitness.
Failing the one-leg stance went with far more deaths
Out of 100 people in each group, the number who died is shown for those who could and could not stand on one leg for 10 seconds.
17.5 in 100
Could not stand on one leg for 10
4.6 in 100
Could stand on one leg for 10 seconds
died from any cause over a median follow-up of 7 yearsDifference between the first two groups: 12.9 in 100 people
Failing the one-leg stance went with far more deaths
A study that followed 1,702 people aged 51 to 75 for a median of 7 years found that 20.4% could not hold the pose for 10 seconds. Of those who couldn't, 17.5% died, compared with 4.6% of those who could. Adding the test improved prediction beyond age, sex and clinical measures1Observational study · 2022 · 1,702 peopleSuccessful 10-second one-legged stance performance predicts survival in middle-aged and older individuals.Within the limitations of uncontrolled variables such as recent history of falls and physical activity, the ability to successfully complete the 10-s OLS is independently associated with all-cause mortality and adds relevant prognostic information beyond age, sex and several other anthropometric and clinical…Br J Sports Med. These figures compare groups, so the gain for one person depends on how high their risk was to begin with.
A study that followed 13,423 adults aged 65 and older in Taiwan for about 7 years linked longer one-leg stance times to lower death rates. People in the top fifth had about half the risk of death of those in the bottom fifth. This adjusted for illnesses and self-reported activity2Observational study · 2026 · 423 peoplePhysical Fitness and All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults.In this cohort study of older adults, objectively measured physical fitness-particularly balance and agility, lower-body strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness-was associated with lower all-cause mortality in a graded manner. These findings suggest that integrating objective fitness assessments into routine practice…JAMA Netw Open. It used timed stance in fifths of performance, not a 10-second cutoff.
A review of studies on the one-leg standing test found it is related to falls, loss of daily function and other illness in older adults. Test methods varied widely, and the authors did not check the quality of the studies4Review · 2009One-leg standing test for elderly populations.This review suggests that the OLS test can be a tool for predicting frailty in community-dwelling elderly populations. However, our review should be interpreted with caution because we did not confirm the evidence level of each of the studies we selected. Further research on this topic is needed.J Orthop Sci.
The test is a weak predictor of falls. In a 12-month study of 514 older adults, single-leg stance was the poorest of the balance and mobility tests at predicting falls7Observational study · 2026 · 514 peopleProspective evaluation of balance and mobility tests as part of the World Falls Guidelines algorithm.Common balance and mobility tests showed limited predictive validity for future falls. Incorporating these tests into the WFG algorithm did not improve fall risk stratification in community-dwelling older adults.Age Ageing. A 153-person study suggested 10 seconds may be too short to detect subtle balance problems3Observational study · 2024Standing balance test for fall prediction in older adults: a 6-month longitudinal study.In clinical practice in which only stance time is recorded, it is possible to interchangeably use the double-leg or semi-tandem stance. To identify early signs of imbalance, we suggest setting a time limit for the balance test equal to or greater than 23 s, as 10 s appear to be insufficient to detect subtle balance…BMC Geriatr.
Inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds was linked to cognitive problems in a study of 2,115 people, though that study looked at one point in time10Observational study · 2012 · 2,115 peopleSeparate physical tests of lower extremities and postural control are associated with cognitive impairment. Results from the general population study Good Aging in Skåne (GÅS-SNAC).Slower movements and reduced postural control were related to an increased risk of being cognitively impaired. All tests that were performed rapidly were able to separate cases from controls. These findings suggest that physical tests that are related to lower extremity and postural control, emphasizing velocity,…Clin Interv Aging.
Key studies
Study
Who
What it found
Study following people, 20221Observational study · 2022 · 1,702 peopleSuccessful 10-second one-legged stance performance predicts survival in middle-aged and older individuals.Within the limitations of uncontrolled variables such as recent history of falls and physical activity, the ability to successfully complete the 10-s OLS is independently associated with all-cause mortality and adds relevant prognostic information beyond age, sex and several other anthropometric and clinical…Br J Sports Med
1,702 adults aged 51 to 75
17.5% of those failing died in 7 years, versus 4.6%
Study following people, 20262Observational study · 2026 · 423 peoplePhysical Fitness and All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults.In this cohort study of older adults, objectively measured physical fitness-particularly balance and agility, lower-body strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness-was associated with lower all-cause mortality in a graded manner. These findings suggest that integrating objective fitness assessments into routine practice…JAMA Netw Open
13,423 adults aged 65+ in Taiwan
Best one-leg stance group had about half the death risk
Study following people, 20267Observational study · 2026 · 514 peopleProspective evaluation of balance and mobility tests as part of the World Falls Guidelines algorithm.Common balance and mobility tests showed limited predictive validity for future falls. Incorporating these tests into the WFG algorithm did not improve fall risk stratification in community-dwelling older adults.Age Ageing
514 adults aged 65+
One-leg stance predicted falls poorly
Review, 20094Review · 2009One-leg standing test for elderly populations.This review suggests that the OLS test can be a tool for predicting frailty in community-dwelling elderly populations. However, our review should be interpreted with caution because we did not confirm the evidence level of each of the studies we selected. Further research on this topic is needed.J Orthop Sci
Older adults in community studies
Linked to falls and lost function; methods varied
What we don't know
Whether practising balance and passing the test lengthens life. No trial has tested this.
Whether results hold in younger people, and how much falls history and activity explain the link.
Written by AI from the studies listed, without review by a clinician, and graded with the GRADE method. It can be wrong, so check the studies it cites. Education, not medical advice.