Balance and Stability

The ability to maintain equilibrium and control body position, especially during movement.

The nervous system plays a crucial role in balance by processing sensory information and coordinating muscle movements.

It integrates sensory information received from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems to help maintain balance.

The visual system provides information about the environment and our position within it.

The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, provides information about head movement and orientation.

The somatosensory system gathers information about the position and movement of our body parts.

These are the senses that provide information about the outside world, including sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell, and proprioception.

These 'informers' provide the somatosensory system with information about touch, pressure, temperature, and pain.

A state where there is no change in the speed or direction of an object.

A type of equilibrium where the body is at rest and not in motion.

A type of equilibrium where the body is moving in a straight line at a constant speed.

A type of equilibrium where the body is moving but appears unbalanced, but doesn't fall.

The ability to remain unchanged even when external forces are applied, and the ability to return to its original state after a disturbance.

The imaginary vertical line through the center of gravity.

An imaginary point where the entire weight of an object is concentrated.

Factors that influence balance and stability.

The ability to sense the position of one's body parts in space and detect movement.

Receptors found in muscles, tendons, and ligaments that provide information about body position and movement.

A specialized sensory receptor found in muscles that detects changes in muscle length and rate of change in length.

A reflex triggered by stretching a muscle, causing the muscle to contract, preventing excessive stretching.

Receptors located at the junction of muscle and tendons that detect changes in muscle tension.

A reflex triggered by excessive muscle tension, causing the muscle to relax.

The state of zero net force acting on a body, meaning the forces are balanced and the body is stationary or moving at a constant velocity.

The CG is located in the center of objects with symmetrical mass distribution. In asymmetrical objects, the CG is closer to the heavier end.

In adults, the CG is located on the midline, just anterior to the second sacral vertebra.

The CG is lower in women due to wider pelvis and shorter limbs.

Age affects the CG position. The CG is higher in newborns, descends to the level of the umbilicus by 2 years, and continues lowering until reaching the adult position.

Adding weight, like a backpack, shifts the CG backward. To maintain balance, the body compensates by moving the trunk forward.

Amputation shifts the CG away from the amputated limb towards the healthy side. An artificial limb equal in weight to the healthy limb helps prevent abnormal weight distribution.

Understanding the CG helps improve stability. The location of the CG can be strategically changed to enhance balance.

The area beneath the body that provides support. It includes the points of contact with the supporting surface and the space between them.

The stability of your body increases when the distance between the points of contact is wider. This is because a wider base of support makes you less likely to tip over.

The height of your center of gravity (CG) relative to your base of support affects your balance. A lower CG makes you more stable because it takes more force to tip you over.

The position of your center of gravity (CG) projected onto your base of support. You are most stable when your CG is directly above the center of your base of support, minimizing the potential for tipping.

A system for assessing both static and dynamic balance. It consists of 36 items grouped into 6 systems.

A scientific tool used in balance assessment. It measures the movement of the center of pressure within the base of support to assess balance stability.

The point on the ground where the sum of the vertical forces applied to the ground equals zero. It's a key factor in understanding balance and stability during movement.

The amount of movement of the center of pressure during a balance task. A smaller movement indicates greater balance stability.