§ 01
Functional Movement
Clinical fitness assessment

Single Leg Balance (Eyes Closed)

Assess proprioceptive balance without visual input — more challenging than eyes open.

Equipment

Stopwatch. Flat, firm surface. Spotter nearby for safety.

The protocol
  1. 01Same protocol as eyes-open version, but the client closes their eyes.
  2. 02Have a spotter within arm's reach for safety.
  3. 03Start timer when eyes close and foot lifts.
  4. 04Stop timer if eyes open, foot touches down, or significant movement occurs.
  5. 05Best of 3 attempts per side.
What to watch for
  • Client opening eyes reflexively — count the time until eyes open.
  • Safety — be ready to support the client, especially older adults.
  • Eyes-closed times are typically 50-70% shorter than eyes-open.
How to read the result

There is no published normative standard for Single Leg Balance (Eyes Closed) that we would stand behind, so we do not publish one. Read it against the same client’s own earlier results instead: the direction and size of their change over time is the result.

Run it with GainPT

Run this test with branded client reports.

GainPT scores Single Leg Balance (Eyes Closed) against published normative data and turns it into a clean, GainPT-branded PDF your client keeps. All 47 clinical tests, unlimited retests — free to start, no card required.