04/12/2025
Great couple of days spent learning all-things balance and turning current research into practice!
Key learning points relevant to practice (what did I learn?):
1. How to assess motor components of balance
◦ Steady state / Proactive / Reactive
◦ Sitting / Standing / Walking
2. Sensory contributions to normal and impaired balance
◦ Vision / Vestibular / Somatosensory
• Of the 3 sensory systems, no single one is important; the level of importance can vary according to a number of factors (i.e. age, environment or the type of balance task)
3. Balance training need to be completed as a life-long intervention to have any effect
◦ Can reduce risk of falls
◦ Slow age-related decline
◦ Keep you independent
• Balance training reshapes your brain; improving motor control, coordination, reaction time and neuro plasticity
Certainly have a new perspective to balance and how we can assess and train this in a variety of patients.
Any additional thoughts/ideas regarding balance training for neuro patients / older patients greatly received to further expand my knowledge base 💪🙏
