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Balance: Your Fall Prevention Shield

5-minute read 30 XP in app 6 cards

The 10-second test that predicts mortality

A 2022 study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that people unable to stand on one leg for 10 seconds had an 84% higher risk of death within 7 years.

Fact

Balance declines faster than you think

The vestibular system (inner ear balance) deteriorates from age 40. By 65, balance ability has declined 50%. But it's highly trainable — improvements happen in weeks, not months.

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Balance training timeline

See how quickly balance improves with practice.

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Match the balance exercise

Match each exercise to its primary balance benefit.

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Fill in the blank

Complete the sentence about the balance test.

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Takeaway

Key Takeaway

Train balance daily — just 2 minutes of single-leg stands. It's the simplest exercise with the highest longevity return, especially after 50.