Imagine if you will a weight being suspended by two ropes and pulley systems. If you imagined that there is the same length of rope on both sides of the pulley system, you just thought of a system in balance. This is similar to what happens when you stand upon one foot, and try and balance. Agonist and antagonist muscles work against each other to maintain composure. An elderly man, looses balance and falls and breaks 3 bones. A toddler just barely standing takes a tumble because he is uncoordinated. Then there is you. I can push you and you regain your composure pretty quickly. Why is that while the toddler and the old man fell to the ground? Because you read this blog post DUH! Not really, but you followed NASM’s Guideline on training balance. But first what is balance? Balance is When the body is in equilibrium and stationary, meaning no linear or angular movement. The when you are moving you are experiencing Dynamic Balance which is the ability to move and change directions under various conditions without falling. Those various conditions could be walking up a mountain on top of rocky terrain. So why should you do balance training? Because Because it will reduce the rate of ankle sprains and other lower extremity injuries. OPT training system is composed of stability to strength, then strength to power. The OPT Training of Balance is no different. Balance Stability Training: This action does not require much joint motion. It is simple as taking on leg of the ground while standing and counting how long the person can maintain composure. Which improves joint stability Balance Strength Training: With one leg up the leg must go through the entire range of motion, while maintaining composure. These exercises require greater specificity neural demand, and isometric stabilization. Balance Power Training: Explosive and compound, these use plyometric exercises which improve eccentric force (Force Reduction), increase neuromuscular efficiency, and effectively improve reactive joint stabilization. When the body is in equilibrium and stationary, meaning no linear or angular movement. Give an example of balance. Maintain and handstand without falling over The ability to move and change directions under various conditions without falling. Give an example of dynamic balance. Running on uneven surfaces Balance is strongly influenced by other neuromuscular skills such as ____,____,____, and ____. Speed, Endurance, Flexibility, Strength Maintenance of postural equilibrium (balance) is an integrated process requiring ______, _______, and ______. 1. Optimal Muscle Balance (length-tension relationships and force-couple relationships) What is the Integrated Performance Paradigm? Adequate force reduction and stability are required for optimal force production. Alterations in the kinetic chain before, during or after exercise can further affect movement quality and bring about flawed movement patterns. List 5 ways it can affect the body. 1. Alters the firing order of the muscles activated Describe the progression/effects of joint dysfunction. Joint Dysfunction --> Muscle Inhibition --> Joint Injury --> Swelling --> Altered Proprioception (interruption of sensory input from articular, ligamentous and muscular mechanreceptors to the CNS) (like with ankle sprains, ligamentous injuries to the knee, and low back pain). **CHRIS** What is limit of stability? Balance Threshold List some requirements for balance training. Must be stressed in multiplanar, proprioceptively enriched environment. List some benefits of balance training's effects on injuries. 1. Reduces the rate of ankle sprains and other lower extremity injuries. Static and Dynamic Balanve Ability may improve if ... 1. Performed for at least 10 minutes a day What is the main goal of a balance training program? To continually increase the client's awareness of his/her limit of stability (or kinesthetic awareness) by creating controlled instability. List 3 ways to create progressions for balance training. 1. Change Surface - from stable (floor) to unstable (half foam roll, foam pad, balance disc) What are some balance-stabilization exercises? 1. Single-Leg Balance What are the guidelines for balance-stabilization exercises? 1. Involves little joint motion What are the guidelines for balance-strength exercises? 1. Dynamic eccentric and concentric movement of the balance leg through a full range of motion What are some balance-strength exercises? 1. Single-Leg Squat What are the guidelines for balance-power exercises? Designed to develop proper deceleration ability to move the body from a dynamic state to a controlled stationary position as well as high levels of eccentric strength, dynamic neuromuscular efficiency, and reactive joint stabilization. What are some balance-power exercises? 1. Multiplanar Hop with Stabilzation |