Popular Science
Stand up and try to balance on one leg. Can you do it?
How long we can stand up like a flamingo is an important indicator of general health, especially as we age. It indicates changes in the strength of our legs and balance. New research from the Mayo Clinic found that a person’s ability to balance on one leg actually deteriorates with age faster than walking gait or grip and knee strength and is a better indicator of aging. The findings are detailed in a study published October 23 in the journal PLOS ONE.
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This is very true. I am 79 y.o. The only thing that keeps me out in my garden and working on my garden, peach and pear trees all Summer is that I do daily deep knee bends, static back-to-wall bends, and anything to do with my leg (and abdominal) power.
Believe me. This happened almost overnight several years back, when I tried to do things I have not done in several years.
It came even quicker last Summer when I could barely climb up a 20-foot ladder to my rain gutters. Scared me! You must reach into your inner-American and force it. I refuse to die not able to get up off my knees.
Gee, an old person with good judgment will know not to try that because it’s a falling hazard, and thus an effective way to get into the ortho OR for a hip repair or replacement if that’s what gets you off.
A safer method is to measure in decibels the loudness of your yelling GET OFF MY LAWN! Do that every three months or so, plot the values over time, and look for the knee of the down-turning curve.
Uncle Al Friday, 1 November 2024, 18:22 at 6:22 pm
Only if they can read Sign Language.
…Not very intelligent, nor humorous. Sleep with-it, for awhile.
After the covid vaccine BS, I don’t trust doctors for much anymore. I caught part of a commercial yesterday about a heart problem that can be connected to carpal tunnel and as soon as I saw the name Pfizer pop up I rejected the whole commercial.
Watching my elderly mother deal with a broken femur and a second break made me realize that getting old requires a lot of physical strength.
Fortunately, I got my mama’s genes.
I take a yoga class twice a week. I spend time in lines and waiting around, standing on one foot. I do strength training twice a week. I also cut out almost all processed foods. I am down 25 lbs and never felt better.
Not bad for a 62 year old woman!
If you’re having trouble figuring out which is your dominant leg (you’re supposed to balance on your non-dominant leg) this article might help.
https://spartascience.com/blog/what-is-your-dominant-leg
I have the advantage of big feet, so I just put my weight directly over either foot and can go over a minute, more if left without distraction. I knew those size 13eens would come in handy someday.
How about some pushups?