Middle-aged people who cannot easily stand on one leg for 10 seconds are more likely to die young

Researchers believe the “flamingo test” could be an indicator of overall health, helping predict those who will live to old age

People over 50 who cannot stand on one leg for 10 seconds are twice as likely to die in the next 10 years, according to a study.

Researchers believe the “flamingo test” could be an indicator of overall health, helping predict those who will live to old age.

The global study team, including experts from Bristol Medical School, followed 1,702 participants aged 51 to 75 from Brazil between 2009 and 2020.

They were asked to place the front of the lifted foot on the back of the opposite lower leg, hold their arms at their sides, and look straight ahead.

One in five people has failed the test, with the inability to pass more or less doubling at five-year intervals.

About 17.5% of those who failed died during the study period, compared to 4.5% who passed the balance test.

Once age was accounted for, the researchers concluded that failing the test was associated with nearly doubling the risk of death.

The author Dr. Claudio Gil Araujo of Clinimex Medicina do Exercicio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil said: “This test provides fast and objective feedback for the patient and healthcare professionals.”

The proportions of those who could not stand on one leg for 10 seconds were 5% of those aged 51 to 55, 8% of those aged 56 to 60, 18% of those aged 61 to 65, 37% of those aged 66 to 70 year olds and 54% of 71 to 75 year olds.