How long must a participant stand on one leg to complete the single-leg stand test?

The single-leg stand test is a measure of balance and stability, particularly important in assessing the risk of falls among older adults. To successfully complete this test, a participant must maintain their balance while standing on one leg for a specified duration.

In the context of the Senior Fitness Test, standing on one leg for 10 seconds is the standard duration that indicates a reasonable level of balance. This time frame is sufficient to challenge the individual's stability and gives a clear indication of their balance capabilities without being overly taxing or risky.

The reason 10 seconds is the benchmark is that it complies with established testing protocols that effectively evaluate balance without requiring excessive endurance or potentially leading to fatigue, which could skew the results. This duration helps differentiate between varying levels of balance proficiency, offering a reliable assessment of an individual's functional fitness.

Knowing this, other duration options such as 5, 15, or 20 seconds either do not fully reflect the standard test requirements or may not provide the necessary balance challenge appropriate for this age group's fitness assessment.