Balance
What is Balance?
balance is thought to be a process through which the body adapts to the external and internal forces acting on the body to maintain stability or equilibrium.
Balance is specific to the task being performed.
Two types of balance- static balance which refers to maintaining balance whilst performing activities that are stationary e.g. balancing on a beam in gymnastics.
dynamic balance refers to maintaining balance whilst moving e.g. cycling, surfing
Health or Skill related?
It is closely associated with improved performance in sport and physical activity, and less important to improving health and fitness.
Factors that effect Balance
3 factors that influence balance include
§ Changes in location
§ Changes in the environment that supports the body
§ Change in the position of one or more body parts.
§ Balance can be improved by increasing the area of the base of support and/or decreasing the height of the centre of gravity
For example, in surfing the position of feet on the board greatly influences your balance, so too does the environmental factors like the weather,
-rough swells are harder for the surfer to keep balance.
Sports or events that require an athlete to have a high competency in Balance
every sport in some way uses balance, these are a few examples of them:
o Surfing
o Swimming
o Cycling
o Equestrian
o Yoga
o Fencing
o Gymnastics
o Archery
o Weight lifting
o Golf
o Pilates
2 recognised tests including methods and norms
standing balance test
Stand on a flat surface.
- Place your hands on your head, and close your eyes.
- On the starting signal, rise onto one foot.
- The timing is stopped when the elevated foot touches the ground, or if you
hop or change direction.
This test does not have ratings.
Stork stand test
- Remove your shoes
- Stand with hands on hips
- Place the sole of the non-standing foot against the inside knee of the other leg
- Raise your heel from the floor so you are balancing on the ball of your foot
- Have your assistant start the stopwatch as soon as your heel is off the floor