BALANCING ACT

Incorporate balance training into your routine to sharpen skills, reduce injury risk and boost overall performance

- Dean Hodgkin

Balance proficiency isn’t just about tightrope walking between skyscrapers; it’s a fundamental aspect of all workouts, sports performance in general, and everyday movements. From standing up from a chair to taking your first step, dynamic stability is essential. While it’s often overlooked, incorporating balance training into your routine can not only prevent falls but also sharpen your skills and reduce the risk of injury.

While balance is commonly associated with maintaining an upright position, it’s more accurately termed ‘postural stability’: the ability to keep your centre of gravity within your base of support. Whether static or dynamic, postural stability is crucial for proper alignment during movements like lifting overhead or performing lunges.

Balancing depends on three bodily processes: visual, vestibular (inner ear), and somatosensory (touch). Together, these systems form proprioception: the ability to sense and correct your position in space.