Balance is a crucial element in performing daily activities , particularly in the workplace. It is essential to maintain balance to ensure that these tasks are completed safely and efficiently.

 

Good balance allows you to quickly adjust to changes in body position and respond to unexpected variations. For instance, if you accidentally slip, having good balance will help you stay centered and avoid falling.

 

The body receives various sensory inputs that play a crucial role in maintaining balance.

 

⚖️ Vision

⚖️ Proprioception: this is your body’s sense of awareness in spaceVestibular system: this is the functioning of our inner ear which helps with spatial orientation

⚖️ Maintaining balance requires coordination between muscles, tendons, bones, eyes, ears, and the brain. Weakness in any of these systems affects our balance as others overcompensate.

 

There are many factors that can lead to loss of balance.

 

🦩 Inner ear problems

🦩 Foot & knee pain

🦩 History of lower limb injury such as an ankle sprain

🦩 Vision problems

🦩 Loss of depth perception

🦩 Declining muscular strength

🦩 Bone strength. 

 

Here's a quick test using the safety of a wobble board.

 

Test	% <50yrs Capable	% 50>yrs Capable
5 sec standing/ balancing	64	51
1 x ½ Squat	46	24
5 sec standing/ blinded	21	11
5 sec x 1 leg standing	18	15

 

Some good balancing exercises.

 

🧘 Pilates & Yoga
🧘 Single leg squats
🧘 Wobble boards
🧘 Bosu balls
🧘 Swiss balls
🧘 Blind exercise
🧘 Skipping
🧘 Dancing