Jeremy
I think that if you can actually think that those ranges for over 50 are attainable at all ages > 50′ I believe that many of your elder seniors are going to be disappointed. I am also 79 and I think your standards are no longer attainable for me. I would be interested1′ you have ever tested a person my age, 2 what other elderly seniors think my statement.
Hi Donald,
Thanks for your question and concern. I do work with quite a few golfers in your age bracket (even more through traditional orthopedic rehab settings). You’re correct to question my vague statement in the video. I added a more specific table of norms above to help everyone get a better attainable goal for their single leg balance test. As a golfer, I want to see you beat these norms because of the conditions you deal with on the course. So work not only to be within the norms given, but actually get past them. Please let me know if this helps you with a more realistic approach!
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
G’day Jeremy,
I’m in the 60 – 69 group, eyes open easy, eyes closed barely 2 seconds. If I drop the foot down to touch the opposite ankle I get a better result, with controlled wobbles. Does this indicate anything significant?
Hi Ben,
I’m glad to see you’re working on your balance. There are a magnitude of reasons for eyes-closed balance difficulties. They can range from simple foot/ankle weakness to more complex issues like medication effects or neurological issues. Eyes-closed single leg balance will be naturally more difficult than eyes-open. Mild difficulties shouldn’t warrant any concern, but if your eyes-closed test results in dizziness, falling or violent/uncontrollable movements you need to get checked out. If there are concerns that your difficulties with this test are significant I would suggest further consultation with a physician.
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
In a physical therapy setting we would typically take your “best performance” for each leg. It’s meant to be a quick and reliable test to screen for patients that may be a fall risk. In my FitGolf setting it helps me better understand golfers with weight transfer limitations or an issue getting to a confident finish position.
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
Hi Tim,
Good question. Vaguely speaking, a well rounded approach to balance is a good idea. Any kind of exercise that narrows your base of support and it feels challenging will enhance your balance. Your body needs to be challenged in this way to speed up the neuromuscular system responsible for those quick movements in the foot and ankle that ultimately keep you steady. When our neuromuscular system isn’t challenged it tends to slow, especially with age. The result is large muscle movements in the hips and torso that try to steady us and this is much less steady. The trick is to find balance exercises, for you, that are tough enough to make you work, but not so tough that you can’t do it at all or are at risk of actually falling. Your body won’t respond well if it’s too easy and the same if it’s too difficult. So positions like, standing on one foot, lunge position, toe to heel are all good ideas. I’ve seen some people do very regular exercises, like bicep curls, standing on one leg or even on a balance board. Food for thought. Hope this helps.
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
Hey Lotta,
Without shoes is preferred and you should be “pleased” with your results but not “satisfied.” This test is just the beginning. Now you should find balance exercises that challenge you in many ways and maybe even replicate movements you do in golf to help your body transfer that training over to your sport.
Try these (found in the Flexibility tab above):
Star of Death
Railroad Tracks to Tightwire
Follow Through Balance Exercise
Thanks for these tips. The University of Missouri standards are interesting. I am 74, and I can do the one leg balance with eyes open for a minute or more. But, with eyes closed I can only do it for about 3 seconds — big difference. Do you know what that’s about, and is it important that I try to improve my eyes closed performance given that my eyes open balance is pretty good?
Also, I can’t find #2 in this series on the website, only 1, 3, and4.
Hi Jeremy – I can do 50 seconds eyes open, eyes closed needs a bit of work but getting there. It’s an eye opener for sure. Thanks for the tip on energizing with Gatorade, jerky (yum), proteins, fats etc. Will try these and let you know how I make out. Stay well!
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14 Responses to “Balance Is Critical In A Consistent Swing”
August 9, 2012
DonaldCorbyJeremy
I think that if you can actually think that those ranges for over 50 are attainable at all ages > 50′ I believe that many of your elder seniors are going to be disappointed. I am also 79 and I think your standards are no longer attainable for me. I would be interested1′ you have ever tested a person my age, 2 what other elderly seniors think my statement.
August 9, 2012
Jeremy KlinkhamerHi Donald,
Thanks for your question and concern. I do work with quite a few golfers in your age bracket (even more through traditional orthopedic rehab settings). You’re correct to question my vague statement in the video. I added a more specific table of norms above to help everyone get a better attainable goal for their single leg balance test. As a golfer, I want to see you beat these norms because of the conditions you deal with on the course. So work not only to be within the norms given, but actually get past them. Please let me know if this helps you with a more realistic approach!
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
November 21, 2012
terencebensonG’day Jeremy,
I’m in the 60 – 69 group, eyes open easy, eyes closed barely 2 seconds. If I drop the foot down to touch the opposite ankle I get a better result, with controlled wobbles. Does this indicate anything significant?
Ben Benson
November 26, 2012
Jeremy KlinkhamerHi Ben,
I’m glad to see you’re working on your balance. There are a magnitude of reasons for eyes-closed balance difficulties. They can range from simple foot/ankle weakness to more complex issues like medication effects or neurological issues. Eyes-closed single leg balance will be naturally more difficult than eyes-open. Mild difficulties shouldn’t warrant any concern, but if your eyes-closed test results in dizziness, falling or violent/uncontrollable movements you need to get checked out. If there are concerns that your difficulties with this test are significant I would suggest further consultation with a physician.
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
January 2, 2014
JanHjertenHi Ben
When I try the balance test, I get wildly different results different times. Are your figures “best try” or more of a statistical mean?
/Jan (75)
January 2, 2014
Jeremy KlinkhamerIn a physical therapy setting we would typically take your “best performance” for each leg. It’s meant to be a quick and reliable test to screen for patients that may be a fall risk. In my FitGolf setting it helps me better understand golfers with weight transfer limitations or an issue getting to a confident finish position.
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
January 3, 2014
TIMADAMSJeremy
So are you saying repetition in these tests will lead to better balance(i’m 64)
January 6, 2014
Jeremy KlinkhamerHi Tim,
Good question. Vaguely speaking, a well rounded approach to balance is a good idea. Any kind of exercise that narrows your base of support and it feels challenging will enhance your balance. Your body needs to be challenged in this way to speed up the neuromuscular system responsible for those quick movements in the foot and ankle that ultimately keep you steady. When our neuromuscular system isn’t challenged it tends to slow, especially with age. The result is large muscle movements in the hips and torso that try to steady us and this is much less steady. The trick is to find balance exercises, for you, that are tough enough to make you work, but not so tough that you can’t do it at all or are at risk of actually falling. Your body won’t respond well if it’s too easy and the same if it’s too difficult. So positions like, standing on one foot, lunge position, toe to heel are all good ideas. I’ve seen some people do very regular exercises, like bicep curls, standing on one leg or even on a balance board. Food for thought. Hope this helps.
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
January 7, 2014
LottaLiljegrenHi Jeremy!
I did the test right now 6 o
January 7, 2014
Jeremy KlinkhamerHey Lotta,
Without shoes is preferred and you should be “pleased” with your results but not “satisfied.” This test is just the beginning. Now you should find balance exercises that challenge you in many ways and maybe even replicate movements you do in golf to help your body transfer that training over to your sport.
Try these (found in the Flexibility tab above):
Star of Death
Railroad Tracks to Tightwire
Follow Through Balance Exercise
Have fun,
Jeremy Klinkhamer, PT
January 30, 2018
LeeDanekerHi Jeremy,
Thanks for these tips. The University of Missouri standards are interesting. I am 74, and I can do the one leg balance with eyes open for a minute or more. But, with eyes closed I can only do it for about 3 seconds — big difference. Do you know what that’s about, and is it important that I try to improve my eyes closed performance given that my eyes open balance is pretty good?
Also, I can’t find #2 in this series on the website, only 1, 3, and4.
Thanks again,
Lee
February 5, 2018
LeeDanekerHi Jeremy,
I wonder if you have had a chance to check my 30 January comment/question?
Thanks,
Lee
July 9, 2020
StephenClutterHow often should we be doing this per day to reach the desired outcome?
July 9, 2020
SueTeeHi Jeremy – I can do 50 seconds eyes open, eyes closed needs a bit of work but getting there. It’s an eye opener for sure. Thanks for the tip on energizing with Gatorade, jerky (yum), proteins, fats etc. Will try these and let you know how I make out. Stay well!