Simple balance tests may halve older adults' risk of death, study finds

In a large cohort of more than 13,000 Taiwanese seniors, investigators administered standardized tests measuring balance, agility, lower-body strength, cardiorespiratory endurance and flexibility. Over a mean period of seven years, 1,631 participants died, representing roughly 12% of the group. Those who excelled in the fitness battery showed about half the mortality risk of the lowest performers, a relationship that persisted after adjusting for demographic and health variables.

The 8-foot up-and-go test, which gauges balance and agility, and a simple one-leg stand emerged as the strongest mortality indicators. Lower-body strength and a two-minute step test also correlated with substantially lower death rates, while extreme stiffness was linked to higher risk but additional flexibility offered no further benefit. The findings suggest that brief, at-home fitness checks could help clinicians identify older adults at greater health risk.