Balance Training

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Introduction

Balance training is the practice of using exercises to improve stability. This includes exercises that strengthen the muscles that help keep you upright, including your legs and core. It is popular in the treatment plan of geriatric patients, as it prevents falls; the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injury deaths worldwide . In some cases, balance training exercises are recommended to patients with debilitating ailments affecting , vestibular inputs, and muscle strength. An example of its application is in an below knee amputation, where the change of center of gravity and base of support affects functional equilibrium in dynamic activities. Balance training is also used during recreation for individuals,especially athletes, who wish to improve posture strength,coordination and stability.

Indications

Balance training exercises is included across several treatment plans. this is because balance is a vital part of the human kinetics. The following are indications of Balance training,

• • Vestibular Disorders
  • Lower limb amputatee rehabilitation
  • Stroke rehabilitation
  • Fracture rehabilitation
  • Parkinson's diseases
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Neuropathies
  • Postural dysfunction
  • Head trauma

Assessment of Balance

Balance Training exercises are graded. This implies that the intensity of the exercise is dependent on consideration of the patients abilities, disabilities and treatment goals.

The determination of the intensity of balance training exercises can be determined with an assessment of patient's balance itself. This assessment is done in consideration of the presented symptoms and diagnosis.

The assessment includes,

1. 1. An evaluation of the visual system
   2. An evaluation of the somatosensory system
   3. An evaluation of the vestibular sytem
   4. An assessment of musculoskeletal element
   5. Balance Evaluation Systems Test
   6. Special tests such as Rombergs test
      

Functional Sequence of Balance Training

In rehabilitation of debilitating cases, balance training activities start from lying to kneeling to sitting and then progresses to static and dynamic standing and walking.Progression from less to more demanding tasks is suggested.

The following is a basic sequence in balance training,

Lying

• Prone lying (neck extension)
• Prone lying on elbows
• Prone lying on hands

Kneeling

• 4 point kneeling
• Kneel sitting
• 2 point kneeling
• Half kneeling

Sitting

• High sitting with food on ground
• weight shifts (without arm support and foot touching the ground)
• Sit walking
• long sitting

Sit to stand

Static

• Double limb stance
• Single leg stance
• Tandem position

dynamic

• Static marching
• Wobbling board

Walking

• Forward Walking
• Backward Walking
• Tandem Walking
• Treadmill

In athletics, balance training exercises to improve coordination and strength, in both the presence and absence of a diagnosis of infirmities.In programs for sport-injury prevention, rate of movement should slowly progress toward the speeds used in the sport, enabling joint stabilization during fast, sport-specific actions. For example, stabilization exercises of the shoulder joint for throwing athletes should progressively move toward more explosive movements, enabling adaptation of the neuromuscular system to appropriately stabilize the joint during pitching, throwing the ball in cocked position, and ending a throw.

Related articles

Balance

Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke

Balance Training Exercises

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AWuKEt96Jjs

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rbUmG8c5YM8

Outcome Measures Database)

References

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