Over the age of age, it becomes increasingly important to see if the body continues to respond well to everyday demands. Although many people trust medical examinations or resistance tests to evaluate their health, there is a simple gesture that can give an immediate response to physical condition.
A simple test that reveals more than it seems
A group of Mayo Clinic researchers sought to realize the most reliable physical signs to evaluate healthy aging. For this, it was attended by 40 men and women over 50 years old and a state of health considered good.
The study included several physical tests. Participants began by walking 800 meters to their usual pace, while the researchers analyzed the way each one moved.
The march, according to the data collected, did not present significant changes with the advance of age.
The levels of muscle strength were also evaluated through knee extension in the sitting position. This measurement allowed to compare the strength of the lower limbs between different age groups. There was a clear tendency for the loss of strength with age.
FOCUS STABILITY: The gesture that makes the difference
In addition to strength, stability was measured. The participants were placed with both feet resting on the floor and performed the test with their eyes open and then closed.
The goal was to realize how vision influences balance in people over 50.
After these initial steps, a simple but decisive gesture was introduced. Participants were invited to lift a foot and stay in balance as long as possible, with the support leg chosen by each one. The time achieved by each person was recorded.
In this test, participants under 65 were able to stay in balance for about 17 seconds on average. Already those who were 65 years or more registered an average of only 11 seconds. This difference, according to researchers, is considered significant.
For more detailed data, a sensor platform that evaluated weight transfer and oscillation level during the gesture was used. Researchers found that older participants had greater instability and more difficulty maintaining balance.
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What reveal the results and how to interpret them
This type of evaluation does not require complex equipment and can be done at home or in a clinical environment. It is a quick and effective way to perceive how the body is reacting to aging, especially in aspects such as coordination and muscle control.
According to doctors, a time of less than five seconds in this gesture may indicate a high risk of falling. In such cases, it is advisable to seek medical attention and consider the inclusion of specific exercises to improve balance and strength.
The main author of the study, Kenton Kaufman, stressed that this simple gesture can act as a warning sign. A person who cannot keep a balance on one leg for five seconds may be more vulnerable to future falls and injuries.
On the other hand, those who can remain in balance for 30 seconds, especially over 60, are probably in a very good physical condition. This data can serve as a reference for health professionals who accompany the aging of their patients.
Balance: A key sign of healthy aging
The ability to maintain balance involves multiple body systems: muscle strength, neurological function, postural control and coordination. Therefore, this assessment is considered more complete than other more traditional tests, such as gait measurement.
Studies like this seek to find simple methods to detect early signs of physical fragility. When easy to apply and interpret, these tests become useful tools for doctors, physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals.
According to the disclosed data, the loss of balance emerges as one of the first indicators of age -associated physical decline. Your regular monitoring can help prevent falls and promote safer and more autonomous aging.
The full study was published in the scientific journal Plos One, which released all the methodological details and statistical results. The investigation was collaborated by the Mayo Clinic, a world health reference.
The findings of the doctors were also highlighted in an interview with the American newspaper, where the importance of balance as a central factor in physical health from the age of 50 is reinforced.
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