TL;DR
Get health and wellness essentials delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Mayo Clinic specialist Kenton Kaufman says balance reflects the coordination of several body systems and can offer clues about changes in strength and movement with age. He describes ways to practice balance, while advising people with serious problems to consult a health professional before exercising.
A 2025 Mayo Clinic Q&A says balance can provide a useful measure of how the nervous system and muscles work together with age, and outlines ways older adults can practice steadiness. The advice, from Dr. Kenton Kaufman, also stresses that balance problems may have multiple causes and that people with serious difficulties should consult a health professional before starting exercises.
Kaufman, a specialist in orthopedic surgery, physiology and bioengineering at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, describes balance as the result of several systems working together. These include the muscles, eyes, inner ear, nerves, heart and blood vessels. Age-related changes in those systems can affect how steady someone feels, but the Q&A does not say that every balance problem is a normal or inevitable part of aging.
The report cites research from Mayo Clinic’s Motion Analysis Laboratory, saying the ability to stand on one leg can serve as a reliable measure of how well muscles and the nervous system work together as people age. It says balance, muscle strength and gait—the way a person walks—contribute to independence and well-being. Clinicians may use changes in these areas to help develop programs for healthy aging.
The Q&A lists symptoms that can accompany balance problems, including vertigo, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, falls, dizziness and blurred vision. It names possible contributors such as inner-ear problems, peripheral neuropathy, vision changes, neurological conditions and medication side effects. These are examples, not a diagnosis of what is causing any individual’s symptoms.
Balance and Everyday Independence
Steadiness affects more than the ability to stand still. The Mayo Clinic report links balance, strength and walking with independence and well-being, making changes in these abilities relevant to everyday activities. It also says unintentional falls—often associated with losing balance—are the leading cause of injuries among adults 65 and older.
The report’s practical message is that balance can be worked on, but the right approach depends on a person’s condition. A physical therapist trained in balance issues can tailor exercises, while activities such as tai chi, yoga or Pilates may offer ways to practice. Kaufman’s suggestions are educational guidance, not a promise that exercise will prevent falls or resolve a medical cause.
Products Worth Considering
Philips Sonicare 5950 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush with 2 Brush Heads, Pink
Oral-B iO Series 5 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush with 3 Brush Heads and Travel Case, Black
Fitbit Inspire 3 Health and Fitness Tracker Bundle
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Several Systems Shape Steadiness
The source is a reader-question format: a person in their early 60s asks why their balance feels less steady and whether it can be improved. Kaufman responds that balance is complex because multiple body systems must coordinate. Problems involving the inner ear, nerves in the legs, vision, neurological function or medication effects can each contribute to unsteadiness, according to the Q&A.
Kaufman suggests several ways to practice, including standing with the feet close together, shifting weight from side to side, walking heel to toe and rising from a chair without using the hands. At home, he advises using a stable counter or table for support when needed. He also recommends professional guidance for serious balance problems. The source notes that the Q&A is educational and does not replace regular medical care.
““Your ability to balance on one leg can be a reliable measure of how well your nervous system and muscles are working together as you age.””
— Dr. Kenton Kaufman, Mayo Clinic
The Cause May Differ by Person
The Q&A does not identify the cause of the questioner’s balance changes, offer an individual assessment or provide study details such as sample size and measurement methods for the Motion Analysis Laboratory research it cites. It also does not establish that a particular one-leg standing time predicts a fall for every person.
Kaufman says that being unable to balance on one foot for five seconds indicates fall risk, and that standing unsupported for 30 seconds reflects good balance. The report provides these as general guidance, not a substitute for clinical evaluation. It advises people with serious balance problems to check with a health professional before attempting exercises. The cause, appropriate exercise level and expected benefit remain individual matters.
Consider Evaluation Before Practice
The Q&A does not announce a new clinical program or a follow-up study. It recommends that people with substantial balance difficulties speak with a health care professional before beginning exercises; a physical therapist trained in balance issues can design a customized retraining plan. People without serious problems may consider supported home practice or classes such as tai chi, yoga or Pilates, following the report’s safety guidance.
The next step for anyone concerned is to discuss the symptoms and possible causes with a qualified professional, especially because the report names medical conditions and medication effects among potential contributors. Mayo Clinic states that the Q&A is educational material, not a replacement for regular medical care.
Key Questions
What does balance have to do with healthy aging?
Kaufman says balance reflects how several systems, including the muscles and nervous system, work together. Along with strength and gait, it can relate to independence and well-being.
What can cause balance problems?
The Q&A lists possible contributors including inner-ear conditions, peripheral neuropathy, vision problems, neurological conditions and medication side effects. A health professional can assess an individual’s symptoms and possible cause.
What exercises does the report suggest?
Suggestions include shifting weight while standing, walking heel to toe and standing on one foot during a simple task. Use a stable support such as a counter if needed, and consult a professional first if balance problems are serious.
When should someone seek professional guidance?
Kaufman advises people with serious balance problems to check with a health care professional before doing balance exercises. A physical therapist trained in balance issues may create a customized program.
Source: rss
