BALANCE

The ability to maintain equilibrium against force of gravity. What is Balance??? The ability to maintain equilibrium against force of gravity.

Two Types… Static & Dynamic

This is the ability to maintain equilibrium while stationary. Examples: Posing for a photo Static Looking through a microscope This is the ability to maintain equilibrium while stationary. Assuming the position to shoot a rifle

Examples: Dancing Walking Driving a golf ball Bowling Dynamic Walking This is the ability to maintain equilibrium while in motion or to move the body or parts of the body from one point to another and maintain equilibrium. Driving a golf ball Bowling

Why Measure Balance??? Balance is important!! To help improve one’s balance it must be measured to see what aspects of their balance need improving.

You should seek to develop the appropriate program for patients. Balance can be improved through intensive practice of activities that place individuals, in a balanced positions that attempt to maintain and ,in balance positions that help them develop a “feel” for such positions. The main point is that balance can be improved through activities that place individual’s in a state of imbalance, forcing them to recover balance. You should seek to develop the appropriate program for patients.

Also do not allow practice! It is best not to administer balance tests after any strenuous activity! Tests of Balance Balance test are classified as static or dynamic and are reviewed as practical, inexpensive to the administrator, and satisfactory for both sexes. Also do not allow practice!

Stork Stand *Static Basic Tests* Objective: to measure stationary balance while the body weight is supported on the ball of the foot of the dominant leg. Age Level: 10-college-age Equipment: stopwatch Validity: face validity Reliability: Coefficients of .85 and .87 have been reported using the test-retest method Objectivity: Johnson and Nelson report a study that found an objective coefficient of .99 Norms: chart on next slide Scoring: best time in seconds of the 3 trials

Norms

*Static Basic Test* Bass Stick Test (Lengthwise) Objective: to measure stationary balance while the weight of the body is supported on a small base of support on the ball of the foot Age Level: 10-college-age Equipment: Sticks 1” X 1” X 12” Validity: Face validity is accepted Reliability: .90 Norms: Chart on previous slide Scoring: The score is the total time in seconds for all six trials, three on each foot.

*Static Basic Tests* Bass Stick Test (Crosswise) This is the same as the lengthwise test except that the ball of the foot is placed crosswise on the stick.

*Dynamic Balance Tests* Johnson Modification of the Bass Test of Dynamic Balance Test objective: to measure the ability to maintain balance during movement and upon landing form a leap. Age Level: high school –college Equipment: Stopwatch, tape measure, and floor tape Validity: Face validity; .46 when correlated with Bass test of dynamic balance Reliability: .75 using test-retest Objectivity: .97 Norms: Johnson and Nelson provide norms for college women Scoring: 5 points for landing on tape mark, 1 point for each second the steady position is help on tape mark ; which gives a maximum of 10 points per tape mark and a 100 points may be earned. Test performer is penalized 5 points if: failing to stop upon landing, touching the floor with any part of the body other than the ball of the landing foot or failing to completely cover the tape mark with the ball of the foot.

* Dynamic Balance Tests* Balance Beam Walk Test Objective: to measure balance while walking on a balance beam Age Level: 9-college-age Equipment: regulation balance beam and stopwatch Validity: face validity Norms: no norms reposted Scoring: pass/fail. No time limit for the beam walk. The test difficulty can be increased through the use of a 2-inch balance beam.

*Dynamic Balance Tests* Modified Sideward Leap Test Objective: to measure the ability to maintain balance during movement and upon landing from a leap. Age Level: junior high- college Equipment: Stopwatch, tape measure, and floor tape Validity: face validity Reliability: .66 to .88 at different age levels Norms: no norms reported Scoring: The maximum number of points for each trial is 15 5 points for landing correctly on spot A 5 points for leaning and pushing the object off spot B or C 1 point for each second that balance is held on spot A, up to 5 seconds

Activities to Develop Balance Knee Balance V-Sit Stork Stand Activities to Develop Balance Swan Stand Nichols, Aresnault, and Giuffre recommended the following activities for the teaching of balance to elementary students, but the activities, or modifications of them, may be practiced at any level. Rug Twister Hopping Hop Leap Tape Line

Recapturing Balance Activities 1. Jump off a low bench, landing with both feet inside a hoop. 2. Jump forward off a chair and clap hands above head while in midair 3. Jump forward off a chair with one foot going forward and the other backward, and land with the legs back together. 4. Jump forward off a low bench, make a half turn in midair, and land facing the bench. 5. Jump sideways off a low bench. Jump backward. 6. Jump forward off a chair and catch a ball in midair. The balance beam can be altered to increase difficulty by inclines, widths, and heights.