Ageing is a complex process that begins at birth and continues over time, eventually causing a decline in our physical and cognitive functions and death.
Our bodies change physically as we age. Bone density decreases with an increased risk of breakages, muscle mass and strength decline, sight, hearing and taste deteriorate, our skin thins and bruises more easily, wounds heal more slowly, and our hair thins and greys. Our brains also change, leading to slower cognitive processing, memory lapses, and sometimes to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.
We don't all experience these problems at the same age however; there is often a significant difference between our chronological age (as revealed by our birth certificate) and our biological age (which reflects our functional capacity). Both measures are needed when researching ageing.
Scientists studying ageing have devised a number of ways to determine biological age, varying from simply observing a person and judging their age against specific criteria, by testing organ functionality, or by recording lifestyle factors.
Research published in 2024 by PLOS ONE, a peer review open-access community, concludes the best way to establish our biological age is to measure how long we can balance on one leg.
The research entitled “Age-related changes in gait, balance and strength parameters: A cross-sectional study: 2024 Rezael et al” reports correlations between various metrics and the calendar age of 40 healthy individuals, half under 65, half over 65.
The study concludes that: “the duration an individual, whether male or female, can maintain balance on one leg emerges as the most reliable determinant of ageing, surpassing strength, gait, and other balance parameters.”
Lentune Probus has avoided quoting actual research data in this article, to discourage club members, who all enjoy a challenge, from standing eyes-closed on one leg, stop watch in hand, trying to prove their bodies are younger than they are!
The full research report is however available online.