A flamingo-style balance test should be introduced in routine health checks for older adults as it could be a key indicator of how long you will live, researchers say.
The inability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds in mid to later life is linked to a near doubling in the risk of death from any cause within the next 10 years, a study has suggested. A fifth of those studied failed the test.
Unlike aerobic fitness, muscle strength and flexibility, balance tends to be reasonably well preserved until the sixth decade of life, when it starts to wane relatively rapidly, note the researchers in the study published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
The researchers concluded that the 10-second balance test “provides rapid and objective feedback for the patient and health professionals regarding static balance” and that the test “adds useful information regarding mortality risk in middle-aged and older men and women”.
Ten years ago, the team showed that the ability to sit and rise from the floor was strongly associated with survival.
Yet balance assessment is not routinely included in health checks of middle-aged and older men and women, possibly because there is no standardised test, with a lack of hard data linking it to clinical outcomes other than falls, they said.
They analysed statistics in an almost 30-year exercise study in Brazil, which compared physical fitness and conventional cardiovascular risk factors, with ill health and death.
Claudio Gil Araujo, physician and dean of research and education at the Exercise Medicine Clinic in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, told The National: “All three components of nonaerobic physical fitness — muscle strength/power, flexibility and balance — are potentially relevant for good health and, even more relevant, for survival in older subjects.”
As part of the check-up, participants were asked to stand on one leg for 10 seconds without additional support.
They were asked to place the front of the free foot on the back of the opposite lower leg, while keeping their arms by their sides and their gaze fixed straight ahead. Up to three attempts on either foot were permitted.
About one in five (20.5%) of the 1,702 participants aged 51–75 failed the test. The inability to do so rose in tandem with age, more or less doubling at subsequent five-year intervals from the age of 51–55 onwards.
The proportions of those who failed were: nearly 5 per cent of 51–55 year olds; 8 per cent of 56–60 year olds; slightly fewer than 18 per cent of 61–65 year olds; and slightly fewer than 37 per cent of 66–70 year olds.
More than half (around 54 per cent) of those aged 71–75 were unable to complete the test, making them 11 times as likely to fail as those 20 years younger. Dr Araujo suggested a few minutes practising each day could significantly improve balance.
During an average monitoring period of seven years, 123 people died from causes such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and Covid-19 complications.
The proportion of deaths among those who failed the test was significantly higher: 17.5 per cent compared with 4.5 per cent.
Those who failed the test had poorer health in general: a higher proportion were obese, and/or had heart disease, high blood pressure and unhealthy blood fat profiles. Type 2 diabetes was three times as common.
After accounting for age, sex, and underlying conditions, an inability to stand unsupported on one leg for 10 seconds was associated with an 84 per cent heightened risk of death from any cause within the next decade.
Dr Araujo said: “Being very practical and pragmatic, physical fitness is so relevant to health, quality of life and survival that it should be assessed in every medical or health check and could be easily performed together with the measurements of height, weight and blood pressure.
“Poor nonaerobic fitness (normally associated with a sedentary lifestyle, but not always) is the background of most cases of frailty.”
He said that older people falling and suffering major fractures may play a role in this higher mortality.
“Also remember that we regularly need to stay in a one-legged posture, to move out of a car, to climb or to descend a step or stair and so on.”
The researchers point out that as an observational study, it cannot establish cause. As participants were all white Brazilians, the findings might not be more widely applicable to other ethnicities and nations, they said.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
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Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
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On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
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Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Brief scores:
Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first
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Sindhis 104-1 (7.4 ov)
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Raheem Sterling 35', 49'
Ferran Torres 65'
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AT4 Ultimate, as tested
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No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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