Dr. Clifford Segil, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in California notes that balance can be affected by spinal stenosis and pinched nerves. He notes further that long-term alcohol use can also cause balance issues due to atrophy of the cerebellum portion of the brain. Similarly, inner ear issues could also cause balance issues associated with dizziness and vertigo.

Standing on one leg is an opportunity to recalibrate the brain. The exercise helps the brain to form new connections and strengthens the co-ordination between the ears, eyes, joints, and muscles. Practicing the one-leg stance regularly, allows the central and peripheral nervous system to integrate all the information coming in from the senses such as the eyes, and inner ears. The brain, therefore, sends feedback from the muscles and joints to make the necessary adjustments to keep the body upright.  

Standing on one leg is more important than can be imagined. Studies show that about 40% of the human walk is spent on one leg. When standing upright, the human body is inherently unstable as there is a very small base of support relative to a person’s height and width.  Research has shown that the inability to stand on one leg for about 10 seconds can be an indication of a higher risk of death from several causes in the following decade.

A study was performed in 1999 on 2,760 men and women in their 50s. The researchers did three simple tests. They measured grip, counted how often the participants could stand upright from sitting in a minute, and timed how long they could stand on one leg with their eyes closed. Thirteen years later, the researchers revisited the participants and found that those who stood for two seconds or less were three times more likely to have died over the next 13 years than those who managed ten seconds or more.

The aged, as well as people living with a multitude of medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease, have been found less likely to be able to stand on one leg without a wobble. Pregnancy and menopause can also alter a person’s strength and balance. The inability to stand on one leg for longer is also linked to an increased risk of small blood vessel damage in the brain and reduced ability to understand ideas.

Maintaining a good balance will not just make one more stable and active, it also helps to improve one’s performance in a whole range of sports. Sporting activities require building core strength and body alignment. Office workers, in general, are advised to stand on one leg sometimes. It is a way to break boredom and helps to correct any postural imbalances that can arise from long hours of sitting.

REFERENCE

Information from https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/, https://www.healthline.com/health-news/can-you-stand-on-one-leg-for-10-seconds-what-that-tells-you-about-your-overall-health, https://theconversation.com/standing-on-one-leg-is-a-sign-of-good-health-and-practising-is-good-for-you-too-168709 was used in this story.