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A Mayo Clinic Q&A by Dr. Kenton Kaufman explains that balance depends on several body systems and can become less reliable with age. It recommends practice and, for people with serious balance problems, consulting a health care professional before starting exercises.
A 2025 Mayo Clinic Q&A published by Seniors Guide says balance can change as people age because it relies on several body systems working together, and outlines ways to practice steadiness. Orthopedic surgeon and researcher Dr. Kenton Kaufman says balance, muscle strength and walking ability contribute to independence, while advising people with serious balance problems to check with a health care professional before doing exercises.
Kaufman’s response describes balance as a coordinated function involving muscles, vision, the inner ear, nerves, the heart and blood vessels. The report says these systems can deteriorate with age, but it does not claim that every older adult will experience the same changes or that age is the only explanation for feeling unsteady. Balance and gait changes may help clinicians assess how a person’s systems are working together and shape programs for healthy aging.
The Q&A identifies several possible warning sensations: spinning or vertigo, lightheadedness, unsteadiness, falls or a feeling of impending falls, floating sensations and vision changes such as blurriness. It lists potential causes including inner-ear conditions, nerve damage in the legs, vision problems, neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and cervical spondylosis, and medication side effects. These are examples in the report, not a diagnosis of any individual reader’s symptoms.
For practice, Kaufman suggests working with a physical therapist trained in balance issues, or taking tai chi, yoga or Pilates. At home, he describes exercises such as standing with feet close together, shifting weight and lifting one foot, walking heel to toe, and standing from a chair without using the arms. He advises using a stable surface, such as a counter or table, for support when needed. The report urges people with serious balance problems to speak with a health care professional before beginning exercises.
Balance and Everyday Independence
The report links balance with more than the ability to stand on one leg: strength and gait also contribute to independence and well-being. The ability to move steadily affects everyday activities, while a fall can lead to injury and make it harder to remain active. The Q&A says unintentional falls, most often resulting from loss of balance, are the leading cause of injuries among adults aged 65 and older.
Its practical message is that changes in steadiness deserve attention rather than automatic dismissal as an inevitable part of getting older. Because multiple systems and medical factors can be involved, the same symptom can have different explanations. A clinician or trained therapist can help assess an individual’s situation and tailor support; the exercises in the report are general suggestions, not a substitute for medical care.
The article also describes a one-leg standing check: Kaufman says holding the position unsupported for 30 seconds indicates good balance, while being unable to do so for five seconds is a reason to work on balance. These are the expert’s stated guideposts in the Q&A, not a comprehensive screening tool or a diagnosis. The report does not provide study details establishing how those thresholds should be used across different people.
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The Mayo Clinic Balance Q&A
The source is a Mayo Clinic Q&A distributed by Tribune Content Agency and republished by Seniors Guide. It answers a reader’s question about feeling less steady in their early 60s. Kaufman is identified as working in orthopedic surgery, physiology and bioengineering at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The Q&A carries a 2025 copyright notice from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
The report refers to research from Mayo Clinic’s Motion Analysis Laboratory on one-leg balance as a measure that may reflect how the nervous system and muscles work together with age. The supplied material does not name a specific study, provide its methods or results, or state how much balance changes over time. The Q&A also says it is an educational resource and does not replace regular medical care.
Its recommendations range from guided retraining to simple home practice. It notes that tai chi, yoga and Pilates classes may be available through senior, community and fitness centers, as well as online. For home exercises, the advice is to use support if needed and begin with manageable movements. The article does not prescribe a schedule, number of repetitions or progression for those exercises.
“In many ways, aging is a balancing act.”
— Dr. Kenton Kaufman, Mayo Clinic
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Causes and Test Limits
The Q&A does not establish why any particular reader might feel unsteady. It lists several possible contributors, including inner-ear problems, vision changes, nerve damage, neurological conditions and medication effects, but offers no individual assessment. Persistent, new or severe symptoms therefore cannot be explained by the article alone.
The report gives no details of the Motion Analysis Laboratory research it references, such as the study design, participant group or the evidence behind its one-leg standing guideposts. It also does not explain whether those thresholds account for differences in age, health or mobility. The article presents them as guidance from Kaufman, not as a formal diagnosis.
There is no follow-up information in the supplied source about how often to do the exercises, how quickly to increase difficulty, or which movements are appropriate for someone with a specific health condition. It advises people with serious balance problems to consult a health care professional before trying exercises and states that the Q&A does not replace regular medical care.
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Choosing a Safe Next Step
The source describes no announced follow-up study, policy change or clinical program. Its next step for readers is practical: consider discussing balance concerns with a health care professional, particularly if the problems are serious, and ask whether a physical therapist trained in balance issues can assess needs and develop a customized program.
For people who choose to practice at home, the Q&A recommends a stable support surface when needed and describes movements that can be adjusted to a person’s ability. It does not set a universal training plan. Readers should rely on professional guidance for decisions about exercises, especially where a medical condition or medication may be affecting steadiness.
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Key Questions
What systems does the Mayo Clinic Q&A say affect balance?
Kaufman says balance involves muscles, eyes, the inner ear, nerves, the heart and blood vessels working together. Changes in any of these systems may contribute to feeling unsteady, according to the report.
What are some possible causes of feeling off balance?
The Q&A lists inner-ear problems, peripheral neuropathy, vision problems, neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and cervical spondylosis, and side effects of some medications. These are possible causes cited in the report, not a diagnosis for a particular person.
What balance exercises does the report describe?
Suggestions include standing with feet close together, shifting weight and lifting one foot, walking heel to toe, and standing up from a chair without using the hands. Kaufman recommends using a stable object for support if needed.
Should someone with serious balance problems exercise without advice?
No. The Q&A advises people with serious balance problems to check with a health care professional before doing balance exercises. It also says the educational article does not replace regular medical care.
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