It’s no secret that a balanced lifestyle is important for overall health and well-being. But what many people don’t realize is that your ability to balance is also key to living a longer life. That’s right it’s not just about keeping your diet balanced. You have to be able to physically balance yourself as a whole. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of balance and how you can achieve it in your own life!
There was a study done, where people age 51 to 75 were tested for their ability to balance on one leg for 10 seconds and how their health changed over seven years. What was found in the study was those who failed the one-leg test showed significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality. Now this doesn’t mean their deaths would be caused by a lack of balance such as how likely they may fall down some stairs and break their neck. More so this showed a correlation that poor balance could indicate that other issues could be present.
This is likely to do with how many different body systems are involved with you keeping your balance. Three systems in the body are responsible for maintaining balance: the skeletal system, the muscular system, and the nervous system. The skeletal system provides the structure that supports the body and allows for movement. The muscular system helps to stabilize the skeleton and produce movement. The nervous system monitors the position of the body and sends signals to the muscles to adjust as needed. The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, provides information about changes in head position. Together, these systems work to keep the body upright and prevent falls. In addition, the sense of touch also plays a role in keeping the body balanced. For example, when walking on uneven ground, the feet send signals to the brain that help to adjust the position of the body.
Balance & Physical Fitness
A study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland, showed that people who have better balance also tend to be more physically fit. Balance is something we take for granted every day. We don’t think about it when we walk or ride a bike. But if you’ve ever tried to stand on one leg with your eyes closed, you know that keeping your balance is quite complicated. Your brain is constantly making tiny adjustments to keep you upright. So, it’s not surprising that balance is linked to physical fitness.
First, being physically fit helps improve your muscle strength and coordination. This can give you the extra stability you need to maintain your balance. Second, being physically fit helps improve your proprioception. This is the ability to sense where your body is in space. People who are physically fit tend to have better proprioception because they have more muscle tissue and more nerves that are devoted to sensing movement. As a result, they can make quick adjustments to maintain their balance. Finally, being physically fit helps improve your vestibular function (the ability to sense movement within your head). People who are physically fit tend to have better vestibular function because they have more fluids in their inner ears, which helps them detect movement more effectively.
Balance & Brain Function
There is a strong correlation between balance and brain function. Good balance helps improve brain cognition, while poor balance can lead to cognitive decline. Good balance helps improve brain cognition by providing the challenges necessary for neuroplasticity. When you challenge your balance, you provide your brain with the opportunity to adapt and improve its function. In addition, balance exercises help to improve blood flow to the brain, which can provide a boost to cognitive abilities. As we age, it becomes increasingly important to challenge our balance to keep our brains sharp. However, when there is a decline in any of these areas, it can lead to problems with balance and coordination. Therefore, by maintaining good balance, we can help keep our brains healthy and prevent cognitive decline.
Balance & The Whole Nervous System
Although balance is often taken for granted, it is actually a complex process that involves constant adjustments by the nervous system. The vestibular system provides information about the orientation of the head in space, and it sends signals to the muscles and joints to help keep the body balanced. Additionally, the visual and proprioceptive systems also play a role in balance. The visual system gives information about the position of objects in relation to the body, while proprioception refers to the awareness of joint position and movement. Together, these three systems work together to help maintain balance. Although good balance requires all three systems to be functioning properly, research has shown that the vestibular system is most important for maintaining balance.
Vestibular damage can occur when the fluid in the semicircular canals is disturbed, or when the crystals in the utricle and saccule become dislodged. This type of damage can lead to dizziness, vertigo, and problems with balance. In severe cases, it can be difficult to walk or even stand. Vestibular damage is often caused by head injuries, but it can also be caused by certain medications, infectious diseases, and degenerative disorders. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and promoting vestibular rehabilitation. With therapy, most people with vestibular damage can regain their sense of balance and live relatively normal lives.
So what is the main takeaway here? Well for starters you need to keep yourself somewhat active every day. This doesn’t mean doing some hard weight-lifting workout daily. But you do not need to just lounge on the couch all day and think the steps you take to and from the fridge count as “physical activity.” So try to get in a nice brisk walk each day or take up a yoga routine in the mornings.
