While cardiologists use stress tests for the heart, a leading expert suggests a different kind of “stress test” for aging that you can do at home. The one-legged stand puts a brief, controlled stress on your body’s stability systems, and your response is a powerful predictor of how well you are aging.
This at-home stress test is validated by a major 2022 study that followed 1,700 adults aged 50-75. The research found that the body’s ability to handle the “stress” of a 10-second, one-legged stand was directly correlated with a lower risk of death from any cause.
The results of the test were clear. A “positive” outcome—passing the test—was linked to a greater than 90% chance of survival over the next seven years. A “negative” outcome—failing the test—was a red flag for underlying vulnerabilities associated with the aging process.
The cardiologist explains that this is because the test stresses the integration of your brain, nerves, vision, and muscles. A healthy, well-aging body can handle this stress with ease. A body with underlying issues will struggle, revealing a weakness that needs to be addressed.
If your personal stress test reveals a weakness, the expert recommends a targeted “rehabilitation” program. She advises that activities like yoga and Tai Chi are excellent for strengthening the very systems this test examines, helping you to pass with flying colors and age more gracefully.
