Balance is crucial for avoiding falls as we age
(WorldNews Health)

To evaluate your balance, try this pose: Put one foot in front of the other, heel to toe. How long can you stand without swaying? If the answer is, `Not very long,` you aren´t alone. In fact, the author of this article didn´t fare nearly as well on the test as she expected, despite racking up many miles hiking trails in Western North Carolina every week as a hike leader and outdoor author (see sidebar, `Putting it to the test`). Impaired balance brings with it a higher risk of falling and all that a fall can entail. According to the National Council on Aging, falls are the No. 1 cause of both injury and death in older adults. State data indicate that is increasing among both men and women...