Balance (ability)

Balance (ability)

In biomechanics, balance is an ability to maintain the center of gravity of a body within the base of support with minimal postural sway. [Shumway-Cook A, Anson D, Haller S. "Postural sway biofeedback: its effect on reestablishing stance stability in hemiplegic patients," "Arch. Phys. Med. Rehabil." 1988, vol. 69, pp. 395-400.]

Keeping balance requires integration of inputs from multiple senses (equilibrioception (from the vestibular system), vision, and perception of pressure and proprioception from the somatosensory system) with the motor system responsible for muscle actions. The senses must detect the change of the body position with respect to the base (whether the body moves or the base moves). The limit of stability of an individual standing quietly upright is defined as the amount of postural sway at which the balance is lost and the corrective actions are required. The limit of stability may be described by an irregular cone above the support base. [Hutchinson, Karen J., [http://www.ptjournal.org/cgi/reprint/75/8/699.pdf "Changes in the mean center of balance during balance testing in young adults"] , "Physical Therapy", 1995, 75(8):699-706 PMID|7644574]

References

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/v/rg8KCv5svLM The YouTube video showing an example of this experiment]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bvTE1LLzjA Another video showing a man attempting to balance with his eyes shut.]


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