§ 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.
Normative scoring

Age 20-49: >25s excellent, 10-25s good, <10s fair. Age 50-59: >15s good. Age 60+: >10s good, <5s warrants further assessment.

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.