[throwaway892238]

As someone who got very good at DDR at a young age, and is now older, it's clear that if you do any exercise which challenges your balance when you're young, your balance will be better when you're old. I haven't practiced slackline or DDR in decades and I don't really exercise now, but I can still walk across a log found during a hike like it's nothing. Strength may come and go, but balance is clearly some kind of long-term muscle memory.

[mvc]

I dunno about that.

I'm "getting on a bit" as they say. I was pretty active as a kid and am still a reasonably active 42 yr old now but I've noticed that when I go a few weeks without regular activity and the strengh diminishes, the balance goes with it.

I can totally understand how with ankles or core a bit weaker it would be easy to lose balance. Dunno how regular your hikes are but they are probably keeping you strong where you need to be, especially if there are hills involved.

[LorenPechtel]

I believe it degrades with a lack of use, it's just that you started from a higher level.

And note "found during a hike"--you're using your balance skills all the time out there when the ground is uneven. And hiking is certainly exercise.