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one leg balance
A measure of static balance
Indications:
- fall risk assessment
Procedure:
- ask patient to stand unassisted on one leg for 5 seconds
- patient can choose either leg
- one practice attempt is allowed
Interpretation:
- inability to stand on one leg > 5 seconds is a strong predictor of future falls [1] & mortality [2]
General
physical examination technique
balance evaluation
References
- Vellas BJ et al,
One-leg balance is an important predictor of injurious
falls in older persons
J Am Geriatr Soc 1997, 45:735
PMID: 9180669
- Marcus A
To Predict Mortality, You Need a Leg to Stand On.
Medscape. June 21, 2022
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/975941
- George J
Mortality Risk Linked With Balance on One Leg
One-legged standing test during routine checkups may add useful
information about risk of death.
MedPage Today June 21, 2022
- Araujo CG, de Souza E Silva CG et al
Successful 10-second one-legged stance performance predicts survival
in middle-aged and older individuals.
Br J Sports Med. 2022 Jun 21:bjsports-2021-105360.
PMID: 35728834
https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2022/05/15/bjsports-2021-105360