More recently, research published in 2021 in the Journal of Orthopaedic Science looked at how being able to balance on one leg could predict whether people would suffer a potentially debilitating fall later in life.

Falls, the authors said, “are a primary cause of physical disability in older adults” – something that anyone with elderly relatives who’ve broken their hips (or worse) after missing their step will know only too well. Looking at middle aged and elderly Japanese adults, they found conclusively that someone’s ability (or not) to stand on one leg was predictive of falling, even after factoring in previous falls and other variables.

So, what does all of this have to do with those of us who are in the prime of our lives? As a runner, I’m concerned about balance because I want to avoid leaning too much to one side and being more lopsided than I already am.

A strong core is the key to running well, while equally firing glutes can stop you from picking up knee injuries and rolled ankles. While strength training and things like pilates are invaluable for making me a stronger runner, I’m sure that standing on one foot has also helped.

How to live longer: “I’ve spent four years brushing my teeth standing on one foot – science says I'll live longer”