A leading cardiologist suggests a simple, 10-second test that acts as a quick “MOT” for your body’s overall health. The test is the unipedal stance, or standing on one leg. Your ability to hold this pose is a scientifically validated indicator of your long-term health prospects.
The scientific backing for this comes from a major 2022 study published in a sports medicine journal. The research followed 1,700 older adults for ten years and found a powerful link between their static balance and their chances of survival in the near future.
The results were striking: participants who could balance on one leg for 10 seconds or longer had a greater than 90% chance of being alive and disability-free seven years later. This makes the test a surprisingly powerful tool for assessing mortality risk.
According to the expert cardiologist, this is because good balance reflects a healthy and integrated system. It requires optimal function of the brain, nerves, muscles, and sensory organs. An inability to balance could be an early warning sign of a problem in one of these areas.
So, take the MOT. If you don’t pass, it’s not a failure but a recommendation for a tune-up. The specialist advises incorporating balance-focused activities like yoga and Tai Chi into your routine to strengthen your stability systems and improve your odds of a long, healthy life.
The Simplest Health MOT: Can You Pass the 10-Second Stand?
