5.17 - Balance Training

Question 1

The approximate midpoint of the body; while the location may vary between individuals, it is typically located at the midportion of the trunk.

Answer 1

center of gravity

Question 2

The area beneath a person that consists of every point of contact made between the body and the support surface.

Answer 2

base of support

Question 3

The area within which an individual can move one’s center of gravity without changing the base of support (i.e., moving the feet) without falling.

Answer 3

limits of stability

Question 4

The ability to maintain the center of mass within the base of support in a stationary position, meaning no linear or angular movement.

Answer 4

static balance

example, the individual is standing still on one foot

Question 5

Balance can be classified into (3)

Answer 5

1. static
2. semi-dynamic, and
3. dynamic

Question 6

The ability to maintain the center of mass with a stationary base of support yet allowing movement for the base supporting the body.

Answer 6

semi-dynamic balance

e.g., individual riding on a skateboard

Question 7

The ability to maintain a center of mass over an ever-changing base of support.

Answer 7

dynamic balance

example, the individual is running on uneven surfaces.

Question 8

Provides information about the position of the body and head, and spatial orientation relative to its surrounding environment; located in the inner ears that assist with balance.

Answer 8

vestibular system

Question 9

Provides information that is acquired from receptors in the body (skin, muscle, joints, tendons) about the position and motion of the body parts relative to other body regions and the support surface.

Answer 9

somatosensory system

Question 10

The interaction between the way the body processes visual, vestibular, and somatosensory information with the motor response of the body to that information.

Answer 10

sensorimotor function

Question 11

The ability to feel that the center of mass (COM) is moving toward a person’s limits of stability is a product of three sense-based systems:

Answer 11

vision, vestibular, and somatosensation

Question 12

The response (conscious or unconscious) of the muscles within the body to control purposeful movement.

Answer 12

neuromuscular control

Question 13

A key ligament within the knee joint that provides stability to limit excessive motion of the tibia relative to the femur.

Answer 13

anterior cruciate ligament

Question 14

A type of research article that synthesizes and summarizes findings from multiple existing research articles on a specific topic.

Answer 14

systematic review

Question 15

An alteration of the body’s current state caused by the application of an external force.

Answer 15

perturbation (i.e., lightly pushing on a client’s shoulders as they are balancing)

Question 16

An unstable (yet controllable) exercise environment that causes the body to use its internal balance and stabilization mechanisms.

Answer 16

proprioceptively enriched environment

Question 17

The main goal of balance training

Answer 17

increase the client’s awareness of their limit of stability by increasing the proprioceptive demands of the exercise.

An example of challenging the proprioceptive demand could range from having a 65-year-old client balance on the floor in a tandem stance (heel-to-toe posture) to having a 25-year-old athlete balance on one foot while standing on a balance disc.

Question 18

balance training progression

Answer 18

Progression 1. Exercises should initially involve little joint motion of the balance leg.

Progression 2. Exercises should involve movement of the balance leg through a full range of motion.

Progression 3. Exercises should combine hopping motions with a single-leg stance landing, and holding the balance position for 3–5 seconds.

Question 19

What is shortest time period per day that balance training should be conducted 3 times per week for 4 weeks in order to improve both static and dynamic balance ability in children?

Answer 19

10 mins

In a systematic review, DiStefano et al. (2009) found that balance training programs performed for at least 10 minutes per day, 3 times per week, and for 4 weeks, appear to improve both static and dynamic balance ability in children.

Question 20

True/False: A biomechanical ankle platform system can help build ankle stability and improve overall balance abilities.

Answer 20

true

Question 21

dynamic balance

Answer 21

occurs when an individual seeks to maintain the center of mass over an ever-changing limit of stability

Dynamic balance involves a constantly changing limit of stability, such as controlling posture during running.

Question 22

True/False: The organs of the core make up the vestibular system and help to provide information about changes of head position in space, which is key to promoting awareness of a person’s surroundings as a part of maintaining balance

Answer 22

false: inner ear

Question 23

The center of gravity moves in which direction when the knees and hips are equally flexed bilaterally?

Answer 23

Inferiorly (away from the head)

Question 24

Competitive athletes who performed balance training exercises reduced the risk of which injury by 46%?

Answer 24

ankle sprains

Question 25

True/False: Somatosensation refers to the ability to feel changes in pressure on the skin, muscle length, and joint angles. Somatosensation is critical for balancing on unstable surfaces and for tasks that involve dynamic balance.

Answer 25

true

Question 26

XXXXXX balance is required when the base of support is changing, yet the person maintains the center of gravity within the limits of stability.

Answer 26

Semi-dynamic