5.17 - Balance Training Flashcards
The approximate midpoint of the body; while the location may vary between individuals, it is typically located at the midportion of the trunk.
center of gravity
The area beneath a person that consists of every point of contact made between the body and the support surface.
base of support
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.
limits of stability
The ability to maintain the center of mass within the base of support in a stationary position, meaning no linear or angular movement.
static balance
example, the individual is standing still on one foot
Balance can be classified into (3)
- static
- semi-dynamic, and
- dynamic
The ability to maintain the center of mass with a stationary base of support yet allowing movement for the base supporting the body.
semi-dynamic balance
e.g., individual riding on a skateboard
The ability to maintain a center of mass over an ever-changing base of support.
dynamic balance
example, the individual is running on uneven surfaces.
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.
vestibular system
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.
somatosensory system
The interaction between the way the body processes visual, vestibular, and somatosensory information with the motor response of the body to that information.
sensorimotor function
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:
vision, vestibular, and somatosensation
The response (conscious or unconscious) of the muscles within the body to control purposeful movement.
neuromuscular control
A key ligament within the knee joint that provides stability to limit excessive motion of the tibia relative to the femur.
anterior cruciate ligament
A type of research article that synthesizes and summarizes findings from multiple existing research articles on a specific topic.
systematic review
An alteration of the body’s current state caused by the application of an external force.
perturbation (i.e., lightly pushing on a client’s shoulders as they are balancing)
An unstable (yet controllable) exercise environment that causes the body to use its internal balance and stabilization mechanisms.
proprioceptively enriched environment
The main goal of balance training
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.
balance training progression
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.
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?
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.
True/False: A biomechanical ankle platform system can help build ankle stability and improve overall balance abilities.
true
dynamic balance
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.
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
false: inner ear
The center of gravity moves in which direction when the knees and hips are equally flexed bilaterally?
Inferiorly (away from the head)
Competitive athletes who performed balance training exercises reduced the risk of which injury by 46%?
ankle sprains
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.
true
XXXXXX balance is required when the base of support is changing, yet the person maintains the center of gravity within the limits of stability.
Semi-dynamic
