Can You Stand On One Leg For Any Length Of Time?

[Tilly2]

I'm asking because when I go to my twice weekly Aquatone, in our cool down session, we have to stand on one leg and hold the uplifted leg behind us with one hand so that the knee is pointed to the floor and the top of the leg is vertical to the floor too. I can do this with ease, in the water, and do not find it difficult. I can stand on either right or left leg with ease because of the buoyancy of the water.

On dry land, I am only able to maintain this position for about six seconds before I wobble. I wobble more on my right leg than my left.

Could I improve this by practicing?

Can you maintain your balance when standing one one leg?

[douglas9401]

It will get easier in time and yes, when sober. :-)

[maggiebee]

Used to be able to do this without any difficulty. However, two replacement hips and a replacement knee have put paid to that .......... for the moment anyway!

[Jackdaw33]

I have great difficulty in standing on two legs, never mind one.

[Tilly2]

^ practising^

Who did that!

Wobble, wobble.

[EDDIE51]

Daft question ! Why worry about it ! Standing on one leg will always be unstable !! As you say it is a lot easier in water as the water gives you support and takes off some of the weight !
I struggle to see why someone would want to practice standing on one leg !

[Tilly2]

I suppose the questions I'm really asking is to do with balance. Does your balancing ability decline as you get older? Can you do anything to maintain that ability?

Perhaps this should have gone in Body and Soul.

[gingejbee]

Yes...just tried. Gave up after one-and-a half minutes on each leg.

[New Judge]

Try bending your knee of the supporting leg very slightly.

[gingejbee]

You could try using a wobble board (Often physios use these for strengthening leg/ankle muscles and improving balance)

eghttps://www.physioroom.com/product/PhysioRoom_Wooden_Wobble_Board_40cm_Balance_Board_for_Fitness_and_Rehab_of_Ankle_Injuries_Knee_Injuries/2029/39364.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr8Sw2_vY5QIVTbTtCh27SgxVEAQYASABEgKPWfD_BwE

[Tilly2]

Eddie, that's just the type of person I am. I am inquisitive about these little things which change my abilities. One thing I am not, is daft. Don't be so rude.

[Tilly2]

I'm impressed, Ginge. :-)

[Old_Geezer]

Seems a good way to twist or break an ankle.
They must be drumming up business.

[gulliver1]

The best thing you can do is vote Conservative.
They are a very Wobbly Party, and at the moment are standing on one leg, and need some kind of support

[Cloverjo]

You will improve by practicing. It’s all about core muscles, I think.

This reminds me of a Paralympic swimmer who had only one leg. She looked complete balanced and symmetrical despite missing her whole leg.

[woofgang]

yes, its a practice thing. When I had knee trouble one of my physio exercises was to stand on one leg and bob up and down on the other. Both my knees neded work so I had to do it with both legs. At first I had to hold onto something for balance then I gradually needed less and less support, from holding on to flat hand, to fingertips and then down and down to just having one finger on the table for confidence. Now I can do it without holding on to anything. I do my maintenance exercises while cleaning my teeth because my toothbrush has a timer on it. I do one minute on each knee to the tune of "Sons of the Sea" because of "bobbing up and down like this"

[woofgang]

oh PS there are other things that can affect your ability to balance aside from muscle strength and control. If your balance is generally poor or declining then it could be to do with your inner ear.

[Spicerack]

Yes.

[ummmm]

Or vitamin deficiency. One of the first questions my doctor asked me when I went with what I thought was a unrelated problem was how was balance. I was lacking in VitD.

[Mamyalynne]

No, not since I smashed my kneecap twenty years ago, also my vision is shot so balance is affected.

[Barmaid]

I've not tried. And probably best right now.

I wonder if it's like learning to ride a bike - at first you need stabilizers?