Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 and older; More than one in four older adults experiences a fall each year, but less than half report it to their doctor. CDC reported.

Balancing on one leg may be a reliable indicator of your health and how well you’re aging, according to new research from the Mayo Clinic.

Study published in PLOS One It examined a small sample of 40 healthy individuals over the age of 50, with both genders represented, equally divided between those under 65 and those 65 and over.

Those with a BMI over 35, those with difficulty in daily activities, those with spine or neuromuscular problems, those using a walking aid, or those with a FRAIL score of 3 or higher were excluded from the study.

Researchers performed tests to measure participants’ grip strength, knee strength, balance and gait.

Grip strength was assessed using a handheld device to assess upper body strength, while knee extension exercises measured lower body strength. Balance was tested on a force plate under various conditions, eyes open and closed, in both bilateral and single-legged stances. Gait was evaluated with a walking test.

“All individuals were able to maintain their balance on two legs, but the movement of their centers of pressure increased significantly with age,” the study says.

He found that several balance parameters, as well as knee and grip strength, decreased significantly with age. Specifically, the amount of time a person stands on one leg decreased by 2.2 seconds per decade for the non-dominant leg and 1.7 seconds for the dominant leg, affecting all genders.

Because the results tied balance so closely to aging, the researchers concluded that balance can be used to assess how advanced a person’s neuromuscular aging is and is also “a valid measure of frailty, independence, and fall status.”

A previous study by Duke Health It found that adults in their 30s and 40s could balance on one leg for about a minute, while those in their 50s could do it for about 45 seconds, and adults in their 70s could do it for only 26 seconds.

The study also found that walking patterns were not significantly affected by age. Disruptions in walking may be indicative of underlying health problems. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Fortunately, balance can be improved.

“Balance training improves your body’s ability to react quickly to everyday missteps, which helps prevent falls.” Paul WineyMayo Clinic Health System physician assistant said.

Mayo Clinic staff recommend weight bearing, single leg balance, biceps curl and tai chi as effective exercises to improve balance.