Good Balance Is Part of Good Health

Having good balance is important for athletes – but it is also important for those of us who aren’t so athletically inclined. Good balance prevents falls and injuries, and it’s something that is easy to work on and improve. Read on for some information about balance and ways that you can brush up on your balancing skills.

What is balance?

Part of having good balance is having strong muscles, but it is also important that the rest of the body works together. There has to be coordination between the visual system, the proprioceptors (the sensors that communicate between the joints, tendons, brain, and muscles), and even the vestibular system (the inner ear and its fluid).

Improving your balance

Good balance helps to prevent injuries and improve the game for athletes – it enables them to react quickly and change direction in the blink of an eye. It also contributes to better coordination and control over the body.

But improving balance isn’t just important for athletes, and you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment a professional athlete has access to if you would like to improve your balance. You can cross-train (try many different activities during your work-out to get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself). Making sure to have good posture all day or even practicing standing on one leg and then the other can also help. Improving the upper body and core strength is important, too – try wall push-ups, crunches on an exercise ball, and even hand stands (you can use a wall if you need some extra support). If all of this sounds like too much, don’t worry – even yoga can help with balance. In fact, some say that yoga is the best way to improve balance, especially for seniors.

No matter your age or activity level, good balance is an important part of staying healthy and preventing injury. And whether you are a professional athlete or just someone who wants to improve their balance, it is easy to do. If you’ve been the victim of bad balance and a bad fall that caused an injury, call Specialty Orthopaedics in Harrison, New York. Call at 914-686-0111 today!