Chapter 17 - Balance Training Concepts

Question 1

What is balance?

Answer 1

When the body is in equilibrium and stationary, meaning no linear or angular movement.

Question 2

Give an example of balance.

Answer 2

Maintain and handstand without falling over

Question 3

What is dynamic balance?

Answer 3

The ability to move and change directions under various conditions without falling.

Question 4

Give an example of dynamic balance.

Answer 4

Running on uneven surfaces

Question 5

Balance is strongly influenced by other neuromuscular skills such as ____,____,____, and ____.

Answer 5

Speed, endurance, flexibility, strength

Question 6

Maintenance of postural equilibrium (balance) is an integrated process requiring ______, _______, and ______.

Answer 6

1. Optimal muscle balance (length-tension relationships and force-couple relationships)
2. Joint dynamics (arthrokinematics)
3. Neuromuscular efficiency using visual, vestibular (inner ear), and proprioceptive inputs.

Question 7

What is the integrated performance paradigm?

Answer 7

Adequate force reduction and stability are required for optimal force production.
(The ability to reduce force at the right joint, at the right time, and in the right plane of motion requires optical levels of dynamic balance and neuromuscular efficiency.

Question 8

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.

Answer 8

1. Alters the firing order of the muscles activated
2. Disturbs specific functional movement patterns
3. Decreases neuromuscular efficiency
4. Prime movers may be slow to activate
5. Synergistic and stabilizers substitute and become overactive (synergistic dominance)

Question 9

Describe the progression/effects of joint dysfunction.

Answer 9

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).

Question 10

What is limit of stability?

Answer 10

Balance threshold
(The distance outside of the base of support that he/she can move into without losing control of his/her center of gravity).

Question 11

List some requirements for balance training.

Answer 11

Must be stressed in multiplanar, proprioceptively enriched environment.
Must use functional movement patterns to improve dynamic balance and neuromuscular efficiency.

Question 12

List some benefits of balance training’s effects on injuries.

Answer 12

1. Reduces the rate of ankle sprains and other lower extremity injuries.
2. Frequent component of integrated ACL injury prevention programs.
3. Integrated injury prevention programs that include balance exercises in addition to plyometric (reactive) or strength training exercises treated influenced the ability improve lower extremity biomechanics and may reduce risk of lower extremity injury.

Question 13

How much time should you spend to improve balance?
How often should you perform balance training?
What is the minimum program duration?

Answer 13

1. Performed for at least 10 minutes a day
2. 3x/week
3. For 4 weeks

Question 14

What is the main goal of a balance training program?

Answer 14

To continually increase the client’s awareness of his/her limit of stability (or kinesthetic awareness) by creating controlled instability.

Question 15

List 3 ways to create progressions for balance training.

Answer 15

1. Change surface - from stable (floor) to unstable (half foam roll, foam pad, balance disc)
2. Visual condition - eyes open (easier) eyes closed or moving head around to look at various object or performing cognitive tasks simultaneously (harder).
3. Change body position or add movement

Question 16

What are some balance-stabilization exercises?

Answer 16

1. Single-leg balance
2. Single-leg balance reach
3. Single-leg hip internal and external rotation
4. Single-leg lift and chop
5. Single-leg throw and catch

Question 17

What are the guidelines for balance-stabilization exercises?

Answer 17

1. Involves little joint motion
2. Designed to improve reflexive (automatic) joint stabilization contractions to increase joint stability.
3. During balance-stabilization exercise, the body is placed in unstable environments so it learns to react by contracting the right muscles at the right time to maintain balance.

Question 18

What are the guidelines for balance-strength exercises?

Answer 18

1. Dynamic eccentric and concentric movement of the balance leg through a full range of motion
2. Movements require dynamic control in mid-range of motion and isometric stabilization at the end-range of motion
3. Specificity, speed, and neural demand of each exercise are progressed in this level
4. Designed to improve the neuromuscular efficiency of the entire HMS

Question 19

What are some balance-strength exercises?

Answer 19

1. Single-leg squat
2. Single-leg touchdown
3. Single-leg Romanian deadlift
4. Multiplanar step-up to balance
5. Multiplanar lunge to balance

Question 20

What are the guidelines for balance-power exercises?

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

What are some balance-power exercises?

Answer 21

1. Multiplanar hop with stabilization
2. Multiplanar single-leg box hop-up with stabilization
3. Multiplanar single-leg box hop-down with stabilization

Question 22

What is a proprioceptively enriched environment?

Answer 22

A controlled unstable physical situation in which exercises are performed that causes the body to use its internal balance and stabilization mechanisms.

For example, a BOSU ball or stability ball provides a proprioceptively enriched environment.