![\"Black](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-1938890308.jpg\")
\n\t\tIt can be an indicator of how well you\u2019re ageing (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tIt can be an indicator of how well you\u2019re ageing (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Unless you\u2019re a budding yogi, it\u2019s not often that you stand on one leg. After all, you\u2019re not a flamingo.<\/p>\n
But this quick minute(ish) activity can actually reveal a lot about your physical health<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that our bodies<\/a> change as we get older: from wrinkles<\/a> to our hair<\/a>, to memory recall and the ability to digest certain foods<\/a>.<\/p>\n But research has revealed that standing on one leg can be a strong indicator of how well you\u2019re aging<\/a>.<\/p>\n In a study published in the journal of PLoS One in 2023, researchers found that strength and balance involved in the pose is among the first to go.<\/p>\n They discovered a sharp drop off in ability after the age of 65, with many older participants struggling to hold the pose for more than two seconds.<\/p>\n The authors wrote: \u2018These findings suggest that the duration of unipedal stance [standing on one leg] can serve as a reliable and gender-independent measure of neuromuscular aging for both elderly male and female subjects.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t So, standing on one leg is a good way to measure how much balance you have. The researchers wrote that it is a \u2018a valid measure of frailty, independence, and fall status and proves to be a useful tool in identifying patients with peripheral neuropathy.\u2019 <\/p>\n And it\u2019s not just academic \u2013 the NHS has a guideline for how long you should be able to stand on one leg for \u2013 depending on your age of course.<\/p>\n Back in 2023, the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Board asked: \u2018How long can you stand on one leg like a flamingo?\u2019<\/p>\n They added: \u2018It might sound like an odd question, but your answer to the above question could tell you a lot about your general health and fitness\u2019. <\/p>\n \t\t The rules are:<\/p>\n Ages 18-39: 43 seconds<\/p>\n \t\t If you are aged between 18-39, you should be able to stand on one leg, like a flamingo, for 43 seconds. <\/p>\n Selina Lim, Divisional Director for Integrated Pathways at the NHS East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT), said: \u2018We know that people who struggle to balance for the expected amount of time are at a higher risk of developing ill-health as they age. <\/p>\n \u2018By taking part in the \u201cflamingo challenge\u201d people can quickly and easily assess for themselves whether they are at risk. If they are, there are lots of different activities they can engage in that can help improve their overall fitness.\u2019 <\/p>\n Ages 40-49: 40 seconds<\/p>\n \t\t If you are aged between 40 and 49, you should be able to stand on one leg for 40 seconds. <\/p>\n Doesn\u2019t sound like a long time, but as you get older, the length of time you can stand on one leg decreases<\/p>\n Ages 50-59: 37 seconds<\/p>\n Those aged between 50 to 59, you should be able to stand on one leg for 37 seconds. <\/p>\n According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds in mid to later life is linked to a near doubling in the risk of death from any cause within the next 10 years.<\/p>\n Ages 60-69: 30 seconds<\/p>\n \t\t If you are aged between 60 to 69, you should be able to stand on one leg for 30 seconds. <\/p>\n Debbie Dyer, Clinical Lead for Ageing Well and Anticipatory Care at the North East Essex Alliance, said: \u2018Moving our bodies more day-to-day brings immediate benefit, too. Exercise is brilliant for mental health and is a great way of meeting new people in your community. <\/p>\n \u2018The fitter and healthier you are, the better your mental wellbeing, and the longer you will retain your agility, strength, and balance into later life.\u2019<\/p>\n Ages 70-79: 18 seconds. 80+: 5 seconds<\/p>\n \t\t Those aged between 70 to 79 should be able to stand on one leg for around 18-19 seconds. If you\u2019re over 80, you should be able to stand on your leg for a little over 5 seconds. <\/p>\n The NHS recommends not to try and maintain the pose for longer than a minute\u00a0though.<\/p>\n This article was originally published November 28, 2024.<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-1332208102.jpg\")
\n\t\tHow\u2019s your balance? (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Wild](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-545337716.jpg\")
\n\t\tMake like a flamingo\u2026 (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n\n
![\"Sporty](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-2160110182.jpg\")
\n\t\tYoung people should be able to hold the pose for quite some time (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Father](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-849270708.jpg\")
\n\t\tIt may not seem like a long time, but give it a try (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Senior](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-593746687.jpg\")
\n\t\tExercise is brilliant for mental health, especially as you get older (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n![\"Female](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-928804442.jpg\")
\n\t\tDon\u2019t try to hold the pose for too long as you get older (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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