The Healthspan Map · Fitness (Ch7-8)
Balance (one-leg stand)
Compiled by Aamir Malik, PhD, Professor of Neuroengineering at Brno University of Technology, from published studies. He is a researcher, not a physician. Last updated 21 August 2026.
What this is linked to
| Condition or system | Direction | Strength | Evidence type | What was found | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance & falls risk | Watch this | Strong | Established clinical | Impaired balance is among the strongest fall predictors; single-leg stance is a validated screening test (CDC STEADI). | Falls risk factors (StatPearls) (opens in a new tab) |
| Musculoskeletal | Watch this | Moderate | Cohort / observational | Single-leg balance integrates lower-limb strength and proprioception and is a strong marker of neuromuscular aging. | Araujo et al., BJSM 2022 / neuromuscular-aging studies (opens in a new tab) |
| Musculoskeletal | Watch this | Moderate | Cohort / observational | Single-leg balance integrates lower-limb strength and proprioception and is a strong marker of neuromuscular aging. | Successful 10-second one-legged stance performance predicts survival in middle-aged and older individuals, Br J Sports Med 2022 (opens in a new tab) |
| General / Whole-body Energy | Watch this | Moderate | Cohort / observational | Failing the 10-second one-legged stance was associated with an 84% higher all-cause mortality risk over the next decade (adjusted). | Araujo et al., BJSM 2022 (opens in a new tab) |
| General / Whole-body Energy | Watch this | Moderate | Cohort / observational | Failing the 10-second one-legged stance was associated with an 84% higher all-cause mortality risk over the next decade (adjusted). | Successful 10-second one-legged stance performance predicts survival in middle-aged and older individuals, Br J Sports Med 2022 (opens in a new tab) |
| Neurological & Mental Health | Watch this | Emerging | Established clinical | Single-leg balance is impaired by neurological conditions (Parkinson's, MS, dementia), reflecting central postural control. | Single Leg Stance Test (clinical review) (opens in a new tab) |
The Healthspan Map is part of Fix the Floor, a book by Aamir Malik. About the book