Balance and Proprioception: Single-Leg Balance - Eyes Open

The Single-Leg Balance Eyes Open Test measures how long a client can stand on one leg while keeping their eyes open. It is closely related to the Unipedal Stance Test, which has published normative values for eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions across age groups and sex.  

Introduction

Single-leg stance is a simple and useful screen of static balance. It provides information about postural control, lower-limb stability and age-related balance changes.

Quick Summary

Test name: Single-Leg Balance Eyes Open
Category: Static balance
Primary score: Time held in seconds
Best use: Baseline balance and side-to-side comparison
Key limitation: Ceiling effects are common in young or athletic clients.

What Is the Assessment?

The client stands on one leg with eyes open for as long as possible, up to a selected time cap.

Why It Is Used

Used to assess static balance, side-to-side differences, baseline performance, fall-risk context in older adults and progress over time.

What It Measures

It may reflect visual, vestibular and somatosensory contributions to balance, lower-limb control, confidence and postural steadiness.

Who It Is Used For

Useful for older adults, athletes, general fitness clients, balance monitoring and lower-limb assessment.

Equipment Required

• Flat surface
• Stopwatch or Measurz stopwatch
• Optional Measurz AR measurement for setup documentation
• Optional Measurz inclinometer for related ROM
• Optional MAT tools for related lower-limb strength testing
• Measurz platform for time, side, symptoms and retest comparison

Step-by-Step Protocol

1. Client stands upright with hands on hips or arms standardised.
2. Client lifts one foot from the floor.
3. Start timing once the foot lifts.
4. Stop when the foot touches down, stance foot moves, arms change if restricted, support is used or the time cap is reached.
5. Repeat both sides.

Scoring and Interpretation

Record time in seconds for each side, time cap, stance side, footwear, surface, arm position and reason for stopping.

Normative Data, Benchmarks or Reference Values

Norms vary by age. Unipedal stance performance generally declines with age, and published normative values are available for eyes-open and eyes-closed testing.  

Practical field guide only:

• 30–60 seconds: strong static balance for many adults
• 10–30 seconds: moderate
• Under 10 seconds: worth monitoring, especially in older adults or if side-to-side difference is large
• Under 5 seconds in older adults may be clinically relevant in fall-risk context, but should not be used alone.  

Reliability and Validity

The unipedal stance test is widely used and has normative evidence, but reliability depends on time cap, number of trials, stance rules and testing surface.  

Common Errors and Limitations

Common errors include inconsistent arm position, different time caps, testing on different surfaces, not recording footwear, allowing foot movement and overinterpreting a single trial.

Practical Applications

Useful for balance screening, older adult monitoring, lower-limb assessment, sport profiling and tracking progress.

How to Record This in Measurz/MAT

Record side, time, time cap, eyes condition, surface, footwear, arm position, symptoms, compensations and retest date.

FAQs

What does it measure? Static single-leg balance.
Should both sides be tested? Yes.
What is a good score? 30–60 seconds is strong for many adults, depending on age and protocol.
Is it enough for athletes? Often no; dynamic tests may be needed.

Key Takeaways

• Simple static balance test.
• Useful for baseline and retest.
• Age affects performance.
• Standardise time cap and rules.
• Measurz can track side and time.

References

Springer, B. A., Marin, R., Cyhan, T., Roberts, H., & Gill, N. W. (2007). Normative values for the Unipedal Stance Test with eyes open and closed. Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, 30(1), 8–15.  

Michikawa, T., et al. (2009). One-leg standing test for elderly populations. Related fall-risk evidence.