What is Balance?
Balance is the ability to control and maintain one’s body position without losing control or falling. Balance is a learned motor pattern which can be relearned by practicing. Good balance is important to help you get around, stay independent, and perform activities of daily living. An intact sense of balance helps you:
- Walk without staggering
- Get up from a chair without falling
- Climb stairs without tripping
- Bend over without falling.
Static balance is the ability to balance while holding one position.
Dynamic balance is the ability to balance while moving or changing between positions.
Balance and Aging
- Decreased muscle strength and flexibility
- Less control on momentum
- Decreased reaction time and decline in co-ordination
- Vision and sensory changes
Additional information about Balance and Balance Issues can be obtained here.
Balance Tests:
Please click on the following names for detailed review of three functional balance assessments:
The 30 Second Chair Stand Test
The 4-Stage Balance Test
The Timed-Up-and-Go Test
It is important to note that further instruments (such as the Functional Reach test and the Berg Balance test) may be found by clicking here.
