Lifestyle maintenance Balance
training prevents falls in older adults,
allowing them to stay independent
and maintain an active lifestyle
BALANCE RESEARCH
fatigue and balance: Moderate
fatigue is thought to lead to an
immediate reduction of balance
performance, as fatigued people
may be less focused. Fitness
instructors should ensure members
are not over-exercising, as injury
may occur as a result of a
subsequent loss of balance.
Journal of Neuro-engineering
Rehabilitation, 3: 22, 2006. ‘The effects
of moderate fatigue on dynamic balance
control and attentional demands’,
Simoneau et al
reducing sprain risk: A 2008 study
sought to find out whether
prophylactic balance and co-
ordination training could reduce
the risk of sustaining lateral ankle
OCK.COM sprain. Researchers found that
.IST
completing at least six weeks’
balance training after an acute ankle

WWW
sprain substantially reduced the risk
GE:
A
of recurrent ankle sprains.
THIS P
Journal of Athletic Training: 43(3):305-
15, 2008. ‘Systematic review of postural
control and lateral ankle instability, part II’,
McKeon et al
ALL PICTURES
vision and stability: A French study
analysed the use of visual
as a performance enhancer in the central nervous system, muscles, tendons information in the postural ability of
1980s, to be one of the most versatile and joints – enhances balance. football players. Testing posture
pieces of equipment available. “They “It’s claimed that performing functional with eyes opened and closed,
utilise neurologically induced muscular exercises on an unstable surface analysis revealed the importance of
responses, to establish and restore core promotes balance,” Juris adds. “However, vision in postural maintenance was
balance,” says Bryant. I’ve collected a substantial array of less in professional players than
However, experts such as Paul M peer-reviewed papers which indicate amateurs, suggesting that structural
Juris, executive director of the Cybex that exercise on unstable surfaces is not balance plays a more prominent
Institute in the US, say health clubs only ineffective for developing strength, part than vision in people
should examine their provision of but also leads to increased injury risks. undergoing targeted sports training.
balance training. Juris believes that using I believe focusing on core stability is Scandinavian Journal of Medicine &
unstable exercise as the only form of actually counterproductive to real Science in Sports. V:16 I:5, 2005. ‘Effect
balance training in a workout is not functional stability. Trying to stabilise the of expertise and visual contribution on
conducive to ‘whole structure’ balance, body while also trying to move leads to postural control in soccer’, Paillard et al
and therefore not suffi cient to address nothing more than choppy, ineffi cient
the need for dynamic muscle stability – a and skill-less motion, which is why
vital component of safe exercise and most research examining the effects Substantial research, including that of
functional, everyday living. of unbalanced training on motor skills Butler and associates
2
, who determined
Richard Mattis of Pipedreems, actually demonstrates an inhibition of that equilibrium may be enhanced
distributor of The Vew-Do Balance skill, not an improvement.” through muscle strength development,
Board, also advocates the use of both Hope agrees: “Exercise involving leads me to think it’s illogical to use
core balance and whole structure balance static balance control on an unstable an unstable surface designed for static
as an exercise protocol. “Used together, surface is fi ne for developing core balance control where dynamic balance
they can enhance both neuromuscular balance. However, in most instances, re- control on a stable surface is required.”
activity and muscle force and power,” he establishing equilibrium requires adequate On the next page, we look at how
says, adding that good neuromuscular power applied to a stable surface – for and why balance training should be
communication – synergy between the example, if you’re recovering a trip. used with different member groups.
2
Brain Research, V.1242, P. 244-251, 2008. ‘Muscle weakness impairs the proprioceptive control of human standing’, Butler et al
may 2009 © cybertrek 2009 Read Health Club Management online 65
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84