While your driver’s license shows your chronological age, a top cardiologist suggests a 10-second test can reveal your body’s “true age.” The one-legged stand is a powerful indicator of your physiological condition, which is often more important for longevity than the number of years you’ve been alive.
This concept of a “true age” test is supported by a 2022 study that linked functional ability to survival rates in 1,700 older adults. The research showed that those with the balance of a younger person, regardless of their actual age, had a much better health outlook.
The study’s data was compelling. Participants who could perform the 10-second balance test—a sign of a lower “true age”—had a greater than 90% chance of surviving the next seven years. This suggests that functional health can override some of the risks of chronological aging.
The cardiologist explains that this is because balance is a proxy for the health of systems that typically decline with age. A good sense of balance indicates that your nervous system, senses, and muscles are aging slowly and gracefully. Poor balance suggests accelerated physiological aging.
You can reverse your body’s true age. If the test suggests you are older than your years, the expert recommends an “anti-aging” regimen. She advises that mind-body practices like Tai Chi and yoga can improve your stability and coordination, effectively making your body function as if it were younger.