In architecture, a keystone holds the entire arch together. A top cardiologist suggests that for your health, the “keystone” is your sense of balance. A simple 10-second, one-legged stand tests the stability of this keystone, and if it’s weak, the entire structure of your health may be at risk.
This concept is validated by a 2022 study that followed 1,700 adults. The research showed that a weak “keystone,” evidenced by poor balance, was a powerful predictor of a future collapse in overall health.
The study found that individuals with a strong keystone—passing the 10-second test—had a health structure that was over 90% likely to remain standing tall and strong for the next seven years. A crumbling keystone, however, signaled a high risk of systemic failure.
The heart specialist explains that this is because balance is the central, load-bearing element that integrates your neurological, sensory, and musculoskeletal systems. It locks everything else into place. A weakness here compromises the entire structure.
If your keystone feels unstable, you can reinforce it. The expert recommends a “structural reinforcement” program. She advises that practices like yoga and Tai Chi are excellent for strengthening your core stability and solidifying your health’s keystone, ensuring your arch stands for decades to come.