Single-Leg Balance Test (One-Leg Stand): Protocol and Reference Times by Age

The single-leg balance test, popularly known as the "one-leg stand," is probably the simplest balance test there is, and at the same time one of the most informative. It requires no equipment, takes less than a minute, and gives you data comparable both between legs and over time.

It's a perfect test for starting a balance assessment or as a quick screening tool with any type of client.

What does this test measure?

The single-leg balance test measures the ability to maintain postural control on one leg, integrating the combined work of the visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems, along with the strength and stability of the ankle, knee, and hip of the supporting side.

The key data point is the time the person can hold without losing balance, and it's especially useful for detecting asymmetries between the dominant and non-dominant leg.

Equipment needed

• Nothing essential
• A stopwatch
• Optional: padded surface for added safety in people at high risk of falls

Execution protocol

1. The subject stands barefoot or in regular footwear (always standardize the same), hands on hips
2. Ask them to lift one foot off the floor, bending the knee to roughly 90°, without the raised foot touching the support leg
3. Start the stopwatch the moment the foot leaves the floor
4. Stop the stopwatch when any of these events occurs: the raised foot touches the ground, the hands leave the hips, there's a large arm movement to recover balance, or the maximum time is reached (usually 30 or 60 seconds)
5. Repeat with the other leg
6. Optional: repeat with eyes closed for a more demanding version

Common mistakes

• Not defining the "failure" criteria in advance (when to stop the stopwatch), making results hard to compare between evaluators
• Comparing results between people of very different ages without considering age-based norms
• Not recording both legs — the asymmetry between sides is often more informative than the absolute value

How to interpret the result

Age	Reference time (eyes open)
18-39 years	~45 seconds (up to the 45-60 s cap without difficulty)
40-49 years	~40-42 seconds
50-59 years	~35-38 seconds
60-69 years	~25-28 seconds
≥ 70 years	< 20 seconds is usually associated with higher fall risk

Beyond the absolute value, a notable difference between legs (for example, more than 10-15% difference in time) is relevant data, especially in athletes returning from a unilateral injury.

Relationship with other tests

• Eyes-closed balance test — a natural progression of this same test, removing visual information
• Y Balance Test — adds a dynamic reaching component to the static single-leg stance

Track and compare between legs easily

This test is so quick that it's often performed but not systematically recorded, missing the chance to detect asymmetries over time. In Movalytics you can log the time for each leg at every assessment, and the app automatically shows you the difference between sides and the progress of each leg separately — very useful during rehabilitation after an ankle or knee injury.

Frequently asked questions

What maximum time should be recorded? A 30 or 60 second cap is common: if the subject reaches it without losing balance, that value is recorded as the "ceiling" and considered an optimal result for that age group. Can this test be done with athletic shoes? Yes, but consistency matters: if the first assessment was done barefoot, follow-ups should be done the same way for a valid comparison. Why is there sometimes such a big difference between the dominant and non-dominant leg? Some asymmetry is normal, but large differences can reflect a previous injury, an unbalanced loading pattern from the sport practiced, or simply a lack of specific training on the non-dominant side.