TL;DR
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A Mayo Clinic Q&A with Dr. Kenton Kaufman describes balance as a product of several body systems that can change with age, and says balance, strength and gait contribute to independence. It outlines possible causes of unsteadiness and suggests exercises and professional support, while advising people with serious balance problems to consult a health care professional before exercising.
A Mayo Clinic Q&A distributed by Tribune Content Agency and republished by Seniors Guide outlines how balance can change with age and describes options for people who feel unsteady. Dr. Kenton Kaufman, a Mayo Clinic specialist, says balance depends on multiple body systems working together; the guidance matters because falls are the leading cause of injuries among adults 65 and older, according to the report.
Kaufman, whose Mayo Clinic roles include orthopedic surgery, physiology and bioengineering in Rochester, Minnesota, answers a reader in their early 60s who says their balance feels “off.” The Q&A says balance relies on the muscles, eyes, inner-ear balance organ, nerves, heart and blood vessels. It describes age-related deterioration in these systems as one possible reason people may feel less steady, but does not diagnose the reader or identify one cause for their symptoms.
The report says balance, muscle strength and an efficient gait — the way a person walks — contribute to independence and well-being. It cites research from Mayo Clinic’s Motion Analysis Laboratory on one-leg balance as a potential measure of how well the nervous system and muscles work together with age. The report does not provide study details, a testing protocol or results beyond that general description.
Possible signs of balance problems listed in the Q&A include spinning or a sense of motion, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, falls or fear of falling, dizziness, and blurred vision. The source also lists possible medical contributors: inner-ear conditions, peripheral neuropathy, vision problems, neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or cervical spondylosis, and medication side effects. These are examples, not a diagnosis of any individual’s symptoms.
Balance and Independence With Age
The report connects balance to everyday function, not just the ability to stand on one foot. Strength and gait also affect how a person moves, and Kaufman says changes in these areas can help clinicians develop programs aimed at healthy aging. For readers, that makes persistent unsteadiness worth discussing with a health care professional, particularly because a fall can lead to injury and affect independence.
The Q&A also presents balance as something that can be practiced rather than a fixed ability. It says improvement is possible through practice and describes options ranging from home exercises to a physical therapist or classes such as tai chi, yoga and Pilates. That guidance is not a promise that exercise will prevent falls or resolve an underlying medical cause; it is a set of general suggestions that may need to be adapted to a person’s circumstances.
balance training exercises for seniors
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How the Mayo Clinic Frames Balance
The item is an educational Mayo Clinic Q&A, carried by Seniors Guide and distributed by Tribune Content Agency. Kaufman responds to a reader’s question about feeling less steady with age. The source identifies him as a specialist in orthopedic surgery, physiology and bioengineering at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
The Q&A notes that balance involves several systems, which helps explain why unsteadiness can have different possible causes. A problem may relate to vision, the inner ear, nerves, strength, a neurological condition or medication effects. The source does not rank these causes or suggest that aging alone explains every change. It says the Q&A is educational and does not replace regular medical care.
For practice, the report suggests starting with basic movements: standing with feet close together, shifting weight from side to side, lifting one foot while holding a stable surface if needed, walking heel to toe, or standing from a chair without using the arms. It also suggests trying different walking surfaces and practicing a one-leg stand during a simple task. These are examples from the source, not an individualized exercise plan.
““In many ways, aging is a balancing act.””
— Dr. Kenton Kaufman, Mayo Clinic
What the Guidance Does Not Establish
The source does not give a publication date beyond the 2025 copyright notice, nor does it provide detailed methods or data from the Motion Analysis Laboratory research it references. It also does not establish that a one-leg balance test can diagnose a condition or predict an individual’s likelihood of falling.
The Q&A’s suggested time thresholds — standing on one foot for 30 seconds as a sign of good balance and being unable to hold the position for five seconds as a fall-risk indicator — are presented in the source without further explanation of how they were developed or for whom they apply. They should not be treated as a medical diagnosis. The report says people with serious balance problems may want to consult a health care professional before trying exercises. It does not specify which symptoms require urgent attention or assess the causes of any individual reader’s symptoms.
Steps for Readers Feeling Unsteady
The article does not announce a new clinical program, trial or policy change, and it gives no future milestone. Its practical next step for readers with balance concerns is to discuss them with a health care professional. The report says a physical therapist trained in balance issues can develop a customized retraining and exercise program. Those with serious balance problems are advised to seek professional guidance before beginning exercises.
For people considering home practice, the source recommends using a stable object such as a counter or table for support if needed, and starting with basic movements. It also lists tai chi, yoga and Pilates classes as possible ways to practice. The Q&A does not say that any one activity is suitable for everyone, so readers should seek individualized advice when health conditions, medications or safety concerns may affect what they can do.
Key Questions
Why might balance feel less steady with age?
The Q&A says balance relies on several systems, including muscles, vision, the inner ear, nerves, the heart and blood vessels, and that these systems deteriorate with age. It also lists health conditions and medication side effects as possible contributors. The article does not identify the cause for any one person.
What symptoms does the report associate with balance problems?
Examples include spinning or a sense of motion, feeling faint or lightheaded, unsteadiness, falling or feeling at risk of falling, dizziness and blurred vision. The source does not say that these symptoms all have the same cause.
What balance exercises does the Q&A suggest?
Suggestions include standing with feet close together, shifting weight while lifting one foot, walking heel to toe, practicing standing from a chair without the arms, and trying tai chi, yoga or Pilates. The report recommends using a stable support when needed and says people with serious balance problems may want to consult a health care professional before exercising.
Does a one-leg stand diagnose fall risk?
No. The article gives one-leg standing time thresholds as general guidance, but does not provide enough detail to establish them as a diagnostic test. A health care professional can assess persistent balance concerns in light of a person’s health and circumstances.
Source: rss
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