Why is having good balance useful?
Being able to keep your balance is an important life skill! Having good balance can help you perform better at sports and activities and prevent injuries. As we get older, maintaining good balance is crucial in preventing falls and staying independent.
A lot of people come in to the clinic and sheepishly confess that they don’t have good balance. The good news is that training your balance is easy.
How can I train my balance?
It is as simple as spending some time standing on one leg. I always suggest doing it while you clean your teeth!
Make it harder by standing on one leg and then looking up and down, or left and right. Harder again: stand on one leg with your eyes closed!
The Star Excursion Balance Test is an activity used to test people’s balance, and it’s a good balance challenge in itself. It involves standing on one leg, then pointing the toes of your other leg to compass points. Click the link to get a video demo.
An Australian physiotherapist has developed an app for older people to train their balance. It’s called “Clock Yourself”. It sets challenges to help keep you interested and to make it harder as you get better.
For more advanced balance and agility challenges: here are some more ideas.
If you want a customised balance training programme, book an appointment to see a physio.